Submillimeter Astrophysics

Submillimeter Astrophysics is the branch of observational astronomy that is conducted at submillimetre wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Our group is specialized in the design and construction of infrared and submillimeter astronomical instruments. We use these instruments to study the effects of star formation on the interstellar medium in galaxies; from the Milky Way to the most distant galaxies. Our observations thus trace the star formation history of the Universe. Specifically we carry out spectroscopic observation of carbon-monoxide, which is the second most abundant molecule in the Universe, and of neutral and ionized elements (especially carbon) to reveal the physical conditions in the interstellar medium.

Our most recent projects include the South Pole Imaging Fabry-Perot Interferometer, SPIFI, and the Redshift (z) and Early Universe Spectrometer, ZEUS. We are currently in the process of building the next generation ZEUS instrument, ZEUS-2, which will see first light in 2010 on the Caltech Submm Observatory on Mauna Kea. After first light ZEUS-2 will be used on the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Professor Gordon Stacey

Research Associate Thomas Nikola

Research Associate Stephen Parshely