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Overview The Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave
Astronomy (CARMA) is the merger of two university-based millimeter arrays --
the Owens Valley Radio Observatory
(OVRO) millimeter array and the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland
Association (BIMA) millimeter array -- to form a powerful
astronomical tool for the new millennium. At its new high-altitude site in
eastern California, CARMA provides unparalleled sensitivity, broad
frequency coverage, sub-arcsecond resolution and wide-field
heterogeneous imaging capabilities, along with
innovative technologies and educational opportunities. OVRO and BIMA
pioneered millimeter-wavelength interferometry over the last two
decades, and CARMA carries on that legacy.
CARMA
observes radio emission from molecules and dust throughout our
universe. Some of the objects CARMA observes include nearby
starburst galaxies, blue dwarf galaxies, nearby molecular clouds
forming clusters of stars, newly-born stars emerging from their present
clouds, comets, and the cosmic radiation left-over from the Big Bang.
CARMA is operated by professional
astronomers, university faculty, or students from a small control
building adjacent to the antennas, by professional
astronomers, university faculty, or students. Minor support and
maintenance is performed at the CARMA high site, while most CARMA
technical activities are based at OVRO. Further engineering and development
occurs at OVRO and the university laboratories. Funding for the development and operation of CARMA comes from the National Science Foundation and the consortium universities.
Contact CARMA
100 Leighton
Lane (P.O. Box 968)
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