description IRAM NOEMA Overview
IRAM NOEMA (Northern Extended Millimeter Array) is a millimeter-wave interferometer located on the Plateau de Bure in the French Alps. Operated by the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique, it consists of 12 movable antennas configured along rail tracks for high-resolution astronomical observations. NOEMA observes at millimeter wavelengths to study cold matter in the universe, including molecular clouds and star-forming regions. It is among the most sensitive millimeter-wavelength arrays in the Northern Hemisphere.
help IRAM NOEMA FAQ
What does NOEMA stand for?
NOEMA stands for Northern Extended Millimeter Array. It is operated by the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique, commonly known as IRAM.
Where is the NOEMA observatory located?
NOEMA is located on the Plateau de Bure in the French Alps at an elevation of roughly 2,550 meters. The high, dry site helps reduce atmospheric interference with millimeter-wave observations.
How do NOEMA's 12 antennas work together?
The antennas operate as an interferometer, combining their signals to simulate a much larger telescope. They can be repositioned along tracks to change the array's resolution and sensitivity to structures of different sizes.
What kinds of objects does NOEMA observe?
NOEMA studies cold gas and dust in star-forming regions, protoplanetary disks, distant galaxies, and other millimeter-bright targets. Molecular spectral lines allow astronomers to investigate chemical composition, motion, and physical conditions.
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