NOEMA (Northern Extended Millimeter Array)

The University of Michigan Astronomy Department has signed into an agreement allowing access to the NOEMA Interferometer, located on the Plateau de Bure in the French Alps at an altitude of 2550 meters. NOEMA (the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array), considered the best millimeter array in the northern hemisphere, consists of eight dishes—plus more on the way—operating in tandem to produce sharp images and take detailed spectra of a variety of astrophysical objects between wavelengths of 0.8 and 3 mm. In exchange for €1 million, the department will enjoy 500 hours of NOEMA time over the next 5 years. UM astronomers also get access to the IRAM 30-m telescope as part of the agreement. There many areas of active research that will benefit from this unique access, including learning about the chemistry and physics of planet formation, measuring the gas content of galaxies in the distant Universe, and unlocking the secrets of how matter flows towards and gets thrown away from black holes.

Click here to read more news about the agreement at the IRAM site.