This is Hawaii: Submillimeter Array

"Mosqvich" (mosqvich) 09/11/2014 at 21:57 • Filed to: Off Topic, Thirty Meter Telescope, Submillimeter Array

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I'm on a pretty good work trip right now. We're working on both Maui and Hawaii Island (the Big Island). The above photo was taken by a colleague, Dr. Bob Fugate. You're looking at a radio telescope known as The Submillimeter Array. According to the site:

The Submillimeter Array (SMA) explores the universe by detecting light of colors which are not visible to the human eye. It receives millimeter and submillimeter radiation, so named because its wavelength ranges from 0.3 to 1.7 millimeter, or 0.01 to 0.07 inches.

In English: the SMA can study the birth and death of stars and planets from the radiation they emit. The SMA, the world's first imaging interferometric telescope at the submillimeter wavelengths, consists of 8 movable antennas that can be positioned along the sides of a Releaux triangle to provide optimal imaging quality. Each antenna is composed of a smooth parabolic reflector 6 meters (19 and 2/3 feet) in diameter. The signals from the antennas are amplified and combined electronically to give the resolution equivalent to an antenna of 0.5 km (0.3 miles) across.

What looks like a bleak piece of land on top of Mauna Kea is the site for the future Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will be the world's most advanced and capable ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory. It will integrate the latest innovations in precisions control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics. While not the largest telescope, it will be one of the "Big Three". Using a Sodium Guidestar Laser and Adaptive Optics, the TMT will provide incredible data and imagery to scientists as the learn, and in turn teach us, more about the universe we live in.

Source !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

f86sabre > Mosqvich 09/11/2014 at 22:01

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very, very cool. Enjoy the work on a unique project. How are you enjoying the altitude? We went up there on a tour. Awesome spot.

The Transporter > Mosqvich 09/11/2014 at 22:18

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The Hawaiian SMA: watching unscrambled softcore porn on HBO since 1987.

Mosqvich > f86sabre 09/11/2014 at 22:21

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It's not too bad. I live at 7k feet in Colorado.

pdthedeuce > Mosqvich 09/11/2014 at 22:47

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"I'm on a pretty good "work" trip right now."

fixed that for ya .

desertdog5051 > Mosqvich 09/11/2014 at 22:55

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Amazing the divide between the radio vs. visible observers. Give me some of both, if you please.

PG; the scalpel wielder > Mosqvich 09/11/2014 at 23:13

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interesting stuff mate!

I did a few weeks for work experience back in high school at the Narrabri CSIRO radio telescope array in Australia and Parke's radiotelescope (the one in the movie 'Dish'). The science is fascinating and there is always an interesting bunch of people to work with around the world. If I didn't go into medicine I would have gone into this. Keep up the good work!

Mosqvich > pdthedeuce 09/12/2014 at 17:16

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Thanks for the edit Pete!

pdthedeuce > Mosqvich 09/12/2014 at 18:38

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I'm here to help .

Mosqvich > pdthedeuce 09/12/2014 at 22:55

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pdthedeuce > Mosqvich 09/12/2014 at 23:47

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ohhhh ... you suck !!!