ASTEC: Astronomical System Training, Engineering and Collaboration
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The Large Millimetre Telescope (LMT) is Mexico's largest ever investment in a science facility. The project proposed here will help train Mexican astronomers in the high frequency radio techniques necessary to build receivers for use on LMT. This training will be carried out by converting an existing "SHIRM" receiver previously used for Earth observations for use on the LMT for astronomical observations. The skills transferred to the Mexican community during this project have wide ranging application to other research and commercial applications which have direct impact on development. Examples include atmospheric and ground-use monitoring, and active sensors in a range of applications including on cars, an area in which Mexico has a large manufacturing sector.
This proposal is the parent of the RAL Space Proposal ASTEC(R01425/RAL)
This proposal is the parent of the RAL Space Proposal ASTEC(R01425/RAL)
Planned Impact
This project will train Mexican staff and students in heterodyne terrahertz (THz) radio technology enhancing Mexican skills, and capabilities, expanding the expertise base in this area which has a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. This project will create strong UK-Mexican technical and scientific leadership that will benefit our related joint scientific and technical communities. The project will allow Mexico to maximise the scientific, technical and inspirational return of the Large Millimetre Telescope (LMT) which is Mexico's largest ever science infra-structure investment. In addition to the mutual gains in astronomy programmes involving the LMT, it will also impact other areas with direct public and development benefits. For example THz technology is vital in supporting next generation weather sounders and climate modelling experiments: the data from the latter is of strategic importance to a wide range of sectors including, for example, transportation, agriculture, weather related disaster prediction and management, insurance and banking sectors.
Publications
Colín-Beltrán E
(2020)
CHARM: a room-temperature 345GHz receiver for the Large Millimeter Telescope
Description | We have installed a receiver on the largest telescope in the world operating at millimetre wavelengths. This is open access to observations at new range of frequencies for the telescope and the Mexican community it serves. In addition, we have trained three Mexican staff in radio astronomy techniques, radio frequency engineering and public outreach around these areas. |
Exploitation Route | When our Mexican colleagues have fully evaluated the operation of the telescope in this new frequency range, we will investigate the feasibility of building a new state of the art receiver to fully exploit the telescope. Such a receiver would be a significant step in helping the Mexican community maximise their science return on their national investment in the telescope. |
Sectors | Education,Electronics,Other |
Description | UKRI GIAA Award |
Amount | £21,233 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2019 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | ASTEC programme Collaboration with RAL |
Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
Department | RAL Space |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The entire ASTEC project is a close collaboration with Prof. B. Ellison at RAL. |
Collaborator Contribution | The entire ASTEC project is a close collaboration with Prof. B. Ellison at RAL. |
Impact | One SPIE paper presented. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | INAOE UNAM Collabortion |
Organisation | National Autonomous University of Mexico |
Country | Mexico |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have trained researchers from INAOE and UNAM in Mexico in the techniques of sub-THz heterodyne instrumentation design and operation through the conversion of an existing Earth sensing receiver operating at 345 GHz for astronomical operation on the Large Millimetre Telescope (LMT) in Mexico. This has demonstrated the capabilities of the LMT in a new frequency band. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have provided the trainees as well as access to the LMT. |
Impact | None yet. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | INAOE UNAM Collabortion |
Organisation | National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics |
Country | Mexico |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have trained researchers from INAOE and UNAM in Mexico in the techniques of sub-THz heterodyne instrumentation design and operation through the conversion of an existing Earth sensing receiver operating at 345 GHz for astronomical operation on the Large Millimetre Telescope (LMT) in Mexico. This has demonstrated the capabilities of the LMT in a new frequency band. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have provided the trainees as well as access to the LMT. |
Impact | None yet. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | UNAM Collaboration |
Organisation | National Autonomous University of Mexico |
Department | Radio Astronomy |
Country | Mexico |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Training of a researcher from UNAM. |
Collaborator Contribution | Researcher support in laboratory measurements and support in astronomical research. |
Impact | Presentation at SPIE conference. |
Start Year | 2018 |