Radio Astronomy Observations and Instrumentation Development at the Haystack Observatory

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The Northeast Radio Observatory Corporation (NEROC), a non-profit consortium of thirteen educational and research institutions, operates the Haystack Observatory for radio astronomical spectral-line observations and for very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). About 85% of the radio telescope time and 35% of the VLBI processor time are devoted to astronomy. The Observatory and its facilities are available to all astronomers and the majority of the research is conducted by guest investigators. The operation, maintenance and improvement of the Observatory's 37 meter radio telescope and the astronomy operations on the VLBI processor will be supported by the grant. Haystack supports observations in the 6mm to 18cm wavelength range, with emphasis on the use of its high sensitivity maser receivers at the 7 mm and 1.3 cm wavelength bands. These wavelength bands provide a uniquely powerful spectral-line observing capability in the U.S., where valuable measurements of molecular line emissions, such as from carbon sulfide (CS), silicon oxide (SiO), methanol (CH3OH), water (H2O),, and ammonia (NH3), enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of star formation and the structures of our galaxy and external galaxies. While the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) is still under construction, the Haystack telescope will continue to support VLBI Network observations and ad-hoc millimeter-wavelength experiments. The correlator will process Mark III VLBI data, including those from early VLBA antennas. These measurements provide high-resolution maps of weak radio sources.