Use of White Mountain for Millimeter Wavelength Cosmology

University Of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0118297 Lubin, Philip M. The White Mountain Research Station (WMRS) Barcroft Observatory site will be used make measurements of the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB) in order to assess the site for its usefulness for mm and submillimeter wavelength astronomy and to perform cutting edge original scientific research on a very important aspect of CMB: its polarization. Measurements of the amplitude and spatial distribution of CMB polarization along with its correlation with the temperature anisotropy will provide profound information about the structure, evolution and ionization history of the University. Assessing the site, which looks very promising, will open up a US mainland site for sub-submillimeter wave astronomy enabling less expensive site visits than now possible using off-shore observatories and thus enable its frequent scientifically productive use by students. ***