We give an automata-theoretic description of the algebraic closure of the rational function field ${𝔽}_q\left(t\right)$ over a finite field ${𝔽}_q$, generalizing a result of Christol. The description occurs within the Hahn-Mal’cev-Neumann field of “generalized power series” over ${𝔽}_q$. In passing, we obtain a characterization of well-ordered sets of rational numbers whose base $p$ expansions are generated by a finite automaton, and exhibit some techniques for computing in the algebraic closure; these include an adaptation to positive...