Observation of high energy atmospheric neutrinos with AMANDA

In 1997 the Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array (AMANDA) started operating with 10 strings. In an analysis of data taken during the first year of operation 188 atmospheric neutrino candidates were found. Their zenith angle distribution agrees with expectations based on Monte Carlo simulations. A preliminary upper limit is given on a diffuse flux of high energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.