Support for observing at the Green Bank 100m Telescope, semester 09C

在3.5毫米左右的波长范围内，正常恒星形成星系的射电辐射预计将由自由-自由机制主导。这种自由-自由辐射通常很弱地受到其他射电观测的约束，因为它被波长较长的同步辐射和波长较短的尘埃辐射所淹没。因此，在3.5毫米左右绘制正常星系的发射图将检查我们对正常星系的无线电发射机制和模型的物理理解。由于这类观测对表面亮度敏感度的要求很高，因此最好使用大型满孔径望远镜上的宽带宽焦平面阵列。我们已经获得了10个小时的全职要求，在绿色银行100米直径望远镜（GBT）的试点项目，以映射两个附近的星系与MUSTANG测辐射热计相机在90千兆赫操作。GBT是迄今为止世界上最大的能够在90 GHz工作的望远镜，MUSTANG相机是唯一一台在90 GHz工作的通用相机。我们请求为两个人前往现场进行这些初步观察和远程观察程序培训提供支持。根据绿色银行程序，需要亲自进行初步观察。此外，这些观测在绝对校准要求以及非常干燥和晴朗的天气要求方面将非常具有挑战性。

In a range of wavelengths around 3.5 mm, radio emission from normal star-forming galaxies is expected to be dominated by the free-free mechanism. This free-free emission is usually very weakly constrained by other radio observations since it is swamped by synchrotron radiation at longer wavelengths and dust emission at shorter wavelengths. Mapping the emission of normal galaxies at around 3.5 mm will therefore provide a check of our understanding of physics of radio emission mechanisms and models of normal galaxies. Due to the demanding surface-brightness sensitivity requirements of such observations, they are best done using wide-bandwidth focal plane arrays on large filled-aperture telescopes. We have been awarded the full time request of 10 hours for a pilot project at the Green Bank 100-metre diameter telescope (GBT) to map two nearby galaxies with the MUSTANG bolometer camera operating at 90 GHz. The GBT is by far the largest telescope in the world capable of operating at 90 GHz and the MUSTANG camera is the only general-purpose camera operating at 90 GHz. We request support for travel for two people to the site to carry out these initial observations and train in the remote observing procedures. In-person visits for initial observations is required by the Green Bank procedures. Additionally these observations will be very challenging in terms of absolute calibration requirements, and very dry and clear weather requirements.