New Telescope Instruments Will Investigate the Universe For Water
Since water plays a crucial role in supporting life forms based on carbon, scientists actively search for it when exploring the potential for extraterrestrial life. This includes investigating other planets through probes and using space-based telescopes to observe the cosmos.
Detecting water from Earth-based instruments is considerably challenging. However, recently developed water-detecting receivers, integrated into the ALMA radio telescope situated in the dry and elevated region of Chile, offer scientists an innovative ground-based method to explore the existence of life beyond our planet.
Enhanced Capabilities with Band 5 Receivers
Expanding upon the successful testing of Band 5 receivers on the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) telescope in the previous year, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has now been equipped with new receivers. These receivers operate within the wavelengths of 1.42 mm to 1.83 mm (211 GHz to 163 GHz), encompassing the low-energy range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
ALMA typically operates within frequencies ranging from 30 GHz to 960 GHz (9.9 mm to 0.31 mm wavelengths) across ten distinct frequency bands. Consequently, the integration of the new Band 5 receivers significantly broadens ALMA’s capability to observe radio frequencies from various regions of the sky.
According to ALMA Program Scientist Leonardo Testi, the incorporation of the new receivers will greatly enhance the ability to identify water, an essential component for life as we understand it, within our Solar System, as well as in far-reaching areas of our galaxy and beyond. Additionally, these receivers will enable ALMA to investigate the presence of ionized carbon in the early Universe.
Optimal Conditions for Water Detection
Under normal circumstances, detecting water in space using such receivers posed significant challenges due to interference from water molecules present in Earth’s atmosphere.
However, ALMA’s advantageous location atop the Chajnantor plateau in the moisture-free environment of the Atacama desert in northern Chile, situated approximately 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level, allows the new receivers to exploit their sensitivity fully. This unique setting provides an opportunity not readily available in many other locations on Earth.
The Band 5 receivers are designed to operate at specific vibrational frequencies associated with various molecules, including water (H2O), carbon monosulfide (CS), hydrogen isocyanide (HNC), and silicon monoxide (SiO). These molecules play crucial roles in astrochemical investigations pertaining to the formation and transformation of interstellar gases.
Initial testing of the new receivers focused on conducting detailed observations of H2O, CS, and HNC in Arp 220, a collision of giant galaxies situated in the middle of the Milky Way. Spectral studies were also conducted on the red supergiant star Sgr B2 (N) in Sagittarius, along with the detection of SiO and H2O during the examination of VY Canis Majoris, one of the largest known stars.
ALMA Band 5 Opens Doors to In-Depth Water Studies
“We are thrilled to witness these initial outcomes from ALMA Band 5, even with a limited number of antennas,” expressed Robert Laing, a member of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) team. “With the complete ALMA array’s remarkable sensitivity and angular resolution, we will be able to conduct comprehensive studies of water in various celestial objects, including developing and mature stars, the interstellar medium, and regions adjacent to supermassive black holes.”
The data obtained from the preliminary Band 5 tests has been thoroughly examined and processed by technical experts and astronomers from ESO and the European ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) network. The results have been published on the official ALMA website.
ESO further reports that the new receivers are currently being installed and prepared for imminent deployment on the ALMA instrument, marking their active involvement in upcoming observations.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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