New Science

Cool radiation from the dawn of time carries unique information about the structure and evolution of the universe. Galaxies, stars, and planets are born from cold gas and dust that hide them from view. The complex phenomena and chemistry that shape our cosmos can be superbly explored at millimeter wavelengths. The sensitivity, high-quality imaging and broad frequency coverage of CARMA will make unique contributions to many areas of millimeter-wave science.

Life in the Solar System Pristine solar system objects like comet Hale-Bopp may contain organic molecules like glycine which form the building blocks of life. CARMA's broad frequency coverage is uniquely poised to lead the search for the complex variety of proteins and amino acids which hold clues to our origins.

Imaging the Cosmic Microwave Background Distortions in the radiation left over from the Big Bang by hot gas trapped in clusters of galaxies provide information about the nature of matter in our universe. In combination with x-ray observations from Chandra and future missions, images of these "holes" in the background radiation will enable us to measure the expansion of space.

Formation of Stars This is a Hubble Space Telescope image of the molecular gas in the nearby Whirlpool galaxy (M51). CARMA's high resolution will peer into the heart of nearby and distant galaxies to study the cold, molecular gas which fuels star formation and feeds massive black holes. In our galaxy, CARMA will capture images of yet-unborn solar system disks in the process of formation.

Probing the Edges of the Universe Primeval galaxies in their first bursts of star formation are enshrouded in dust and gas; many are visible only at millimeter wavelengths. CARMA will routinely locate such galaxies (such as the gravitationally-lensed Cloverleaf Galaxy, shown here), and measure the molecular fuel available for the formation of stars and planets.