The Atacama Large Millimeter Array: Implications of a Potential Descope

National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Board on Physics and Astronomy,Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array: Implications of a Potential Descope
Format
Paperback
Publisher
National Academies Press
Country
United States
Published
27 November 2005
Pages
46
ISBN
9780309096942

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array: Implications of a Potential Descope

National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences,Space Studies Board,Board on Physics and Astronomy,Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics

The 1991 NRC decadal survey for astronomy and astrophysics included a project called the Millimeter Array (MMA). This instrument would be an array of millimeter-wavelength telescopes intended to capture images of star-forming regions and distant star-burst galaxies. With the addition of contributions form Europe, the MMA evolved into the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), a proposed array of 64, 12-meter antennas. The project is now part of the NSF Major Research Equipment and Facilities budget request. Increased costs, however, have forced the NSF to reconsider the number of antennas. To help with that review, NSF asked the NRC to assess the scientific consequences of reducing the number of active antennas from 60 to either 50 or 40. This report presents an assessment of the effect of downsizing on technical performance specifications, performance degradation, and the ability to perform transformational science, and of the minimum number of antennas needed.

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