AST/RO: A Small Submillimeter Telescope at the South Pole

Abstract

Understanding of star formation in the Universe is advancing through submillimeter-wave observations of the Milky Way and other galaxies. Technological constraints on such observations require a mixture of telescope sizes and observational techniques. For some purposes, small submillimeter-wave telescopes are more sensitive than large ones. The Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST/RO) is a small, wide-field instrument located at an excellent observatory site. By observing the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds at arcminute resolution, it provides a context for interpreting observations of distant galaxies made by large interferometric telescopes. AST/RO also provides hands-on training in submillimeter technology and allows testing of novel detector systems.