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为10.4米的精密望远镜，在圆顶内观测亚毫米波长的天空。该奖项将在未来三年继续为天文台运营、教职员工和学生支持以及仪器开发提供资金。研究领域将包括研究遥远原始星系中的分子气体和尘埃，使用强大的新测辐射热计相机对恒星形成云进行大规模成像，以及观测宇宙微波背景下的Sunyaev-Zeldovich效应。将开发仪器，以提高整个系统的灵敏度和测绘速度。CSO培训了许多本科生、研究生和博士后研究员，包括观测科学和仪器开发。相当一部分的望远镜时间分配给了加州理工学院和其他机构的学生；总的来说，超过50%的望远镜使用是来自加州理工学院以外的天文学家。CSO以其在天文接收器和测辐射热计技术方面的开创性研究而闻名，这项技术在许多其他国家和世界各地的天文台上都有使用。一种新的基于微波动力学感应器件(MKID)的测辐射热计相机系统将在本授权期内在望远镜上开发和使用。

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.