Rare snowfall in Atacama Desert forces the world's most powerful radio telescope into 'survival mode'
undefined 2, 2025
A rare snowfall hit the Atacama Desert’s ALMA radio telescope base camp, halting operations. The desert, one of the driest places on Earth, rarely sees snow, especially at ALMA’s 9,500 ft altitude. The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures, forcing ALMA to activate safety protocols. While the telescope is built for extremes, this unusual weather raises concerns about future climate impacts. Scientists say climate change may increase precipitation in this hyper-arid region, but it’s too soon to be sure.
Read full article
