Optical & Radio Telescope

A new 10 m radio telescope to observe in the sub-millimeter band was completed and joined to the RAINBOW interferometer in February 2000 to obtain extremely high sensitivity and spatial resolution.

The RAINBOW interferometer is a seven element interferometer with a large collecting area that is used in the development of observational radio astronomy with millimeter and sub-millimeter bands. It consists of the Nobeyama Millimeter Array -- six 10 m element antennas -- and a 45 m radio telescope.

This telescope was relocated from Nobeyama to Atacama Desert in northern Chilie in March 2002 to make experimental observations at sub-millimeter bands.

The new 10 m sub-mm antenna has the following special features:

1. Ultra-high surface accuracy

Better than 30-micrometer r.m.s. overall.

2. Active correction of main mirror profile error

Done with computer controlled panel actuators.

3. Ultra-low thermal deformation

Use of CFRP and low thermal expansion metals for structural members.

4. Extremely high open-loop tracking accuracy

Clears better than 1 arcsec r.m.s.