VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/11/13 -- On March 13, 2013, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the world's largest and most complex ground-based astronomical project yet undertaken, will be inaugurated. Experts from the National Research Council of Canada, Drs Stephane Claude and Doug Johnstone (currently seconded as Associate Director James Clerk Maxwell Telescope), will be available online to answer your questions about Canada's decade-long investment in ALMA development, how the National Research Council contributes its expertise, and how the new facility is being used to address our cosmic origins.

ALMA is a group of 66 radio antennas working together as one telescope to study wavelength light from space. Thanks to its high resolution and sensitivity, ALMA promises to open an entirely new "window" on the Universe, allowing scientists to unravel longstanding astronomical mysteries such as the formation of planets, stars, galaxies, and other molecules in space. ALMA is an international partnership between Europe, North America and East Asia in cooperation with the Republic of Chile.

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Time: 10:00 a.m. PST / 1:00 p.m. EST

Media are asked to register before the event by sending an email to media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca .

Will be broadcast from Victoria, BC. Limited space.

You can also ask your questions via Twitter, using the hashtag #Canada_ALMA