The Arizona Radio Observatory: Surveying the ISM through Millimeter and Sub-millimeter Spectroscopy

根据大学射电天文台（URO）计划，该奖项支持亚利桑那射电天文台（ARO）的科学研究、技术开发、运营、学生培训和公众宣传。ARO在格雷厄姆山上设有10米亚毫米望远镜（SMT），在基特峰设有12米毫米波天线。ARO设施利用最先进的alma型外差边带分离（SBS）接收器提供65至720 GHz的宽频率覆盖。这为具有宽中频带宽（16 GHz）的光谱学提供了所需的高灵敏度和稳定性，以便在该仪器支持的空间和频域内进行大型银河系和河外巡天。此外，ARO的能力允许进行大范围的观测，需要最大的灵敏度，如甚长基线干涉测量（VLBI）。单碟项目既是ALMA的预备项目，也是ALMA的补充科学研究项目。ARO补充了ALMA频率范围内的光谱研究，并为ALMA阵列的寻径观测提供了一个场所。研究人员计划开发和建造接收器，并将制造一种新的数字光谱仪，以最大限度地利用接收器。在URO项目的支持下，两个ARO望远镜将有50%的时间可供外部观测者使用。ARO为用户提供训练有素的望远镜操作员、现场访客设施和远程观测能力。这些望远镜与实验室光谱设备紧密相连，可以对关键的分子数据进行测量和天文验证。研究人员的研究涉及恒星和行星系统从星际物质产生的过程以及对星际介质的动力学和化学状态的反馈效应。研究包括：(a)对无恒星核心和0级原恒星的广泛调查；(b)对CO和其他分子的大规模测绘，以探测Bok球状体和巨大分子云中的恒星形成；(c)对NML Cygnus的星周壳进行广泛的分子线调查，以记录大质量超巨星的动力学和化学性质；(d)探索行星状星云的形态和化学成分，以更好地了解它们与漫射ISM和致密云形成的联系；(e)难熔气相分子的分子线研究，阐明粉尘颗粒组成；(f)通过对H2O和CI等物质的跃迁进行调查来记录亚毫米星系的特性，这提供了很大的诊断能力。此外，ARO将继续在国际上对黑洞周围（如人马座a *）的毫米/亚毫米VLBI研究中发挥关键作用。ARO计划的广泛影响之一是本科生和研究生在涉及观测、仪器开发和实验室研究的多学科科学方面的培训机会。该项目将加强学生参与和STEM教育，并使STEM领域的学生和研究人员多样化。

This award under the University Radio Observatories (URO) program supports scientific research, technical developments, operations, student training and public outreach at the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO). The ARO operates the 10 m Sub-millimeter Telescope (SMT) on Mt. Graham and the 12 m millimeter-wave antenna at Kitt Peak. The ARO facility offers wide frequency coverage from 65 to 720 GHz utilizing state-of-the-art ALMA-type heterodyne sideband-separating (SBS) receivers. This provides the high sensitivity and stability needed for spectroscopy with broad intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidths (16 GHz) to do large Galactic and extragalactic surveys in the spatial and frequency domains supported by this instrumentation. Further, the ARO capabilities allow for a wide range of observations requiring maximum sensitivity, such as Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). The single-dish programs serve as both ALMA preparatory and ALMA complementary science investigations. The ARO complements spectroscopic studies across the ALMA frequency range and provides a venue for path-finding observations for the ALMA array. The investigators plan to develop and construct receivers and a new digital spectrometer will be fabricated for maximum utilization of the receivers. The support from the URO program permits that 50% of the time on both ARO telescopes will be available to outside observers. The ARO supports users with trained telescope operators, on-site visitor facilities, and remote observing capabilities. The telescopes are closely connected to laboratory spectroscopy facilities, which allows the measurement and astronomical verification of crucial molecular data.The research by the investigators addresses the processes whereby stars and planetary systems are created from interstellar material and the feedback effects on the dynamical and chemical state of the interstellar medium (ISM). Studies include: (a) an extensive survey of starless cores and Class 0 protostars (b) large scale mapping in CO and other molecules to probe star formation in Bok globules and giant molecular clouds, (c) a broad molecular line survey of the circumstellar shell of NML Cygnus to document the dynamical and chemical properties of massive supergiant stars; (d) exploration of the morphology and chemical composition of planetary nebulae to better understand their connection to the diffuse ISM and the formation of dense clouds; (e) molecular line studies of refractory gas-phase molecules to elucidate dust grain composition; and (f) documentation of the properties of sub-mm galaxies through surveys of transitions of species such as H2O and CI that offer great diagnostic power. In addition, ARO will continue to play a key role in the international millimeter/sub-millimeter VLBI studies of the environs of black holes (e.g. Sgr A*). Among the broader impacts of the ARO program are undergraduate and graduate student training opportunities in multi -disciplinary science involving observations, instrumentation development and laboratory research. This program will strengthen student engagement and STEM education and to diversify the population of students and researchers in STEM fields.