Astronomical Studies with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory

加州理工学院的亚毫米天文台使用了一个直径10.4米的精密望远镜，在一个圆顶内运行，以观察亚毫米波长的天空。该合同将在未来三年内继续为天文台运作、工作人员和学生支持以及仪器开发提供资金。研究领域将包括对遥远的原始星系中的分子气体和尘埃的研究，使用强大的新型测热仪相机对恒星形成云进行大规模成像，以及对宇宙微波背景的Sunyaev-Zeldovich效应的观察。将开发仪器以提高整个系统的灵敏度和绘图速度。CSO在观测科学和仪器开发方面培养了许多本科生、研究生和博士后。在加州理工学院和其他院校，相当一部分望远镜使用时间分配给了学生；总的来说，超过50%的望远镜使用者是加州理工学院以外的天文学家。中央天文台在天文接收机和辐射热计技术方面的开创性研究是值得注意的，这些技术被用于许多其他国家和世界各地的天文台。在此合同期内，将开发一种基于微波动力感应装置（MKIDs）的新型热辐射计相机系统，并用于该望远镜。

The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory employs a precision 10.4-meter-diameter telescope operating within a dome to observe the sky at submillimeter wavelengths. This award will continue funding for the next three years for observatory operations, staff and student support, and for instrumentation development. Areas of research will include studies of molecular gas and dust in distant primeval galaxies, large-scale imaging of star-forming clouds using powerful new bolometer cameras, and observations of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect on the cosmic microwave background. Instrumentation will be developed to increase overall system sensitivity and mapping speed. The CSO trains many undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, in both observational science and instrumentation development. A considerable fraction of telescope time is allocated to students, both at Caltech and at other institutions; overall, more than 50% of telescope usage is by astronomers from outside of Caltech. The CSO is noteworthy for its pioneering research in astronomical receiver and bolometer technology, which is used at many other observatories both national and worldwide. A new bolometer camera system based on Microwave Kinetic Induction Devices (MKIDs) will be developed and used on the telescope during this award period.