Pajonales
Antofagasta, Chile — 0.6 km
Atacama Desert - ALMA
Désert de l'Acatama - ALMA
🇨🇱 Antofagasta · Chile — Altitude 5040 m
Local time UTC-3Checked 5,731 viewsHDMountains
This camera watches the high plateau of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, where the ALMA radio observatory sits above 5,000 metres. It is a rare look at one of the driest and clearest landscapes on Earth. Viewers often watch to see how the sky and the desert change through the day.
A high and dry landscape
The Atacama is one of the driest places on the planet, a broad basin of salt flats, volcanic peaks and bare ground in northern Chile. The ALMA site lies on a plateau at roughly 5,040 metres, well above most settlements. Its thin air and minimal humidity are the reason astronomers chose it for sensitive radio observations of distant galaxies and star-forming clouds.
What to watch and when
The live stream shows the desert and sky from the observatory area, though the exact framing depends on the view at the time. Clear daylight tends to bring sharp contrast on the ground and distant peaks, while late afternoon light can colour the terrain warm orange. Weather changes quickly at altitude, so cloud build-up and wind can shift the picture within an hour.
Climate and getting around
Days in the high Atacama are often sunny and cool, while nights can be very cold, and temperatures drop fast after sunset. The best months for clear skies are generally the dry season, which is typically the austral winter. Access to the site is restricted and requires organised transport from the nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama. The nearby Pajonales camera is just 1 km away, and the Antofagasta coastal camera offers a contrasting view of the Pacific.
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Source: astroasahi
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About this camera
What is the weather in the Atacama Desert now?
The current conditions and a three-day forecast for this location are shown in the live weather block on this page. Values update automatically, so you can check temperature and wind before watching.
What time is it at this camera?
The local time for this camera is displayed on the page and updates in real time. It follows Chile's time zone, which can differ from your own location.
Where exactly is this camera located?
The camera is at the ALMA observatory in the Atacama Desert, in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, at an altitude of about 5,040 metres. The map on this page shows the exact position.
When is the best time to watch this camera?
Clear daytime hours give the sharpest view of the desert, and the dry season usually offers the most reliable skies. Late afternoon can be especially atmospheric as the light softens over the peaks.
Planning a trip?
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