Submillimeter wave astronomy is a relatively new branch of astronomy that studies celestial objects using the submillimeter band of the electromagnetic spectrum, which ranges from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm (300 GHz to 3000 GHz). This band, which lies between the far infrared and high-frequency radio bands, contains valuable astonomical information in both continuum and molecular spectral lines, but has been unavailable to astronomers until recently because most of the radiation is blocked by the Earth's atmosphere. In order to overcome this barrier, submillimeter observatories are usually placed at high altitude. (What is Submillimeter Astrophysics?)
The Caltech Submillimeter Wave Astrophysics group pursues research in all areas of submillimeter astronomy, including molecular spectroscopy, astrochemistry, star formation, and the structure and evolution of galaxies. With a strong tradition in instrumentation, the group operated the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory with support from the NSF. The group also developed instruments for the Herschel Space Observatory.
The group is led by:
Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics
California Institute of Technology, 301-17
1200 East California Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91125
Phone: (626) 395-6608
Fax: (626) 796-8806
Last updated: 2018 March 5
sstoll (at) caltech (dot) edu