Cosmic Anisotropy Telescope
Encyclopedia
The Cosmic Anisotropy Telescope CAT was a three-element interferometer for cosmic microwave background radiation
(CMB/R) observations at 13 to 17 GHz
, based at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory
. In 1995, it was the first instrument to measure small-scale structure in the cosmic microwave
background. When the more sensitive Very Small Array
came online, the CAT telescope was decommissioned in a ceremonial bonfire
.
Cosmic microwave background radiation
In cosmology, cosmic microwave background radiation is thermal radiation filling the observable universe almost uniformly....
(CMB/R) observations at 13 to 17 GHz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
, based at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory
Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory
Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory is home to a number of large aperture synthesis radio telescopes, including the One-Mile Telescope, 5-km Ryle Telescope, and the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager...
. In 1995, it was the first instrument to measure small-scale structure in the cosmic microwave
Microwave
Microwaves, a subset of radio waves, have wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimeter, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. This broad definition includes both UHF and EHF , and various sources use different boundaries...
background. When the more sensitive Very Small Array
Very Small Array
The Very Small Array is a 14-element interferometric radio telescope operating between 26 and 36 GHz that is used to study the cosmic microwave background radiation. It is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, University of Manchester and the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias...
came online, the CAT telescope was decommissioned in a ceremonial bonfire
Bonfire
A bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
.
External links
- Cosmic Anisotropy Telescope (CAT) online
- The first detection of small-scale structure in the cosmic microwave background
- Press release from 1995 describing first measurements of small-scale structure in the cosmic microwave background
- The CAT enclosure on Google MapsGoogle MapsGoogle Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...