CARMA - Development of a Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy

这项计划将开始将目前由AST的大学射电天文台计划资助的两个毫米波射电天文阵列合并成一个新站点的单个干涉仪的过程，称为CARMA(毫米波天文组合阵列)。天文台是欧文斯山谷毫米波阵列(6×10米望远镜)和伯克利-伊利诺伊-马里兰州协会(BIMA)阵列(9×6米望远镜)。新的阵列将位于加利福尼亚州中东部的因约山脉，靠近目前的欧文斯山谷遗址，但海拔更高。新站点的大气条件得到改善，将允许在1.3毫米的最佳观测波段进行常规观测。在ALMA问世之前，CAMMA将成为世界上首屈一指的毫米波长干涉仪。组合阵列的科学优势有很多，包括更高的灵敏度，每年更多的可用天数(因为位置更高)，以及更好的图像保真度。授予的资金将用于宽带电子产品、相关器(信号合成器)样机和天线传送器等长周期项目。Carma收到了国家研究理事会天文十年调查的建议，将其作为2000-2010年期间建造的中等成本倡议之一。*

AST-0116558Sargent, Anneila I.California Institute of Technology"CARMA - Development of a Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy"This program will begin the process of merging two millimeter-wavelength radio astronomy arrays currently funded by AST's University Radio Observatories program into a single interferometer at a new site, to be called CARMA (Combined Array for Millimeter-wave Astronomy). The observatories are the Owens Valley Millimeter Array (6 x 10m telescopes) and the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association (BIMA) Array (9 x 6m telescopes). The new array will be sited in the Inyo Mountains of central-eastern California, near the present Owens Valley site but higher in elevation. Improved atmospheric conditions at the new site will allow routine observations in the prime 1.3mm observing band. CARMA will be the world's premier millimeter-wavelength interferometer until the advent of ALMA. The scientific advantages of a combined array are many, including greater sensitivity, more usable days per year (because of the higher site), and far better image fidelity. The funds awarded will be used for long lead-time items such as broadband electronics, correlator (signal combiner) prototyping, and an antenna transporter. CARMA received the recommendation of the Astronomy Decadal Survey of the National Research Council as one of the Moderate-cost Initiatives to be constructed during 2000 - 2010.***