At an altitude of 5,000 m, ALMA is the largest ground‐based astronomical observing facilities existent. Consist of 66 12‐m and 7‐m antennas, ALMA acts as a single telescope with variable diameters of 150 m to 16 km. ALMA is designed to address some of the most profound questions of our cosmic origins including the origins of life itself.

Are we alone? Our research projects this summer will be mainly based on our ALMA data acquired recently in 2017 on:

Identification of subsurface oceans and search for potential signatures of life on icy solar‐system bodies. By using ALMA to measure the salinity/chlorinity and the oxidation state on icy bodies in our Solar System, we will advance our knowledge significantly on the habitability (適居性) of these icy worlds, including the Galilean moon Europa and the dwarf planet Ceres.

We’d like to identify two to three talented students who are interested in astrophysical study on the origins of life in the universe. We welcome devoted students who have a strong interest in astronomical research. Please note, academic backgrounds in chemistry, life science, or biology are NOT required.