The ARO 12m Radio Telescope (ARO12m or KP12m) is a 12-meter dish located on Kitt Peak, approximately 60 mi (97 km) from Tucson in Arizona at an elevation of 6,215.8 ft (1,894.6 m).
History
The original dish was built in 1967 under the umbrella of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). At that time, it was 36 feet (11 meters) in diameter and was known as the 36-foot Telescope. In 1984, it was renovated with a new backup structure and a slightly larger dish. At this point its name was changed to the 12 Meter Telescope.
In 2013, the entire antenna (dish and mounting) was replaced with ESO's ALMA prototype antenna, which had been located in New Mexico. The new antenna is the same size (12 meters) but has a much better surface accuracy (thereby permitting use at shorter wavelengths), and a more precise mount with better pointing accuracy.
Observatory Information
This table displays some of the characteristics of the telescope and the site.[1]
Site
East Longitude
-111°
36'
53.475"
North Latitude
+31°
57'
12.000"
Elevation
1914 m (6280 ft)
Telescope
Primary Reflector Diameter
12.0 m
Focal Ratio (f/D)
Prime = 0.4, Cassegrain = 8.0
Surface Accuracy
better than 60 μm rms
Mount
Elevation over Azimuth
Slew Rate
6.0°/minute
Pointing Accuracy
2" rms
Elevation Limit
3°
Enclosure
Tracking astrodome with movable door
Science at the 12m Radio Telescope
In the almost 40 years since it was first built, the 12m Radio Telescope has been at the forefront of millimeter molecular astronomy: studying molecules in space through the use of molecular spectroscopy at millimeter wavelengths. Many of the molecules that have been discovered in the interstellar medium were discovered by the 12m.[citation needed]