一个前瞻性的ISRO-CfA喜马拉雅亚毫米波观测计划
A Prospective ISRO-CfA Himalayan Sub-millimeter-wave Observatory Initiative
摘要：
史密森天体物理天文台（SAO）是天体物理中心的成员。|哈佛大学和史密森尼大学正在与印度空间研究组织（印度空间研究组织）的空间应用中心及其在新成立的印度亚毫米波天文学联盟中的合作伙伴进行讨论，以合作在喜马拉雅山高海拔沙漠建造一个亚毫米波天文学观测台，最初在4 500米的印度天文学观测台Hanle。有两个主要的科学目标。一个是绘制中性碳原子和高能态一氧化碳（CO）分子在银河系大部分地区和选定的外部星系中的分布。这些研究将促进我们对存在于星际介质中的分子氢的理解，但部分被现有的观测所遗漏;并通过多级CO观测来表征银河系范围内的分子云激发条件。恒星形成于分子气体和尘埃的星际云中，这些观测将有助于研究这种分子云的形成和破坏过程以及星系的生命周期。作为第二个目标，该天文台将为全球事件视界望远镜（EHT）网络增加一个新的位置，该网络在喜马拉雅山脉没有一个站。这一增加将提高EHT合成图像的质量，支持更高亚毫米波段的观测，提高其分辨率，改善其动态成像能力，并增加观测活动的天气适应能力。在更广泛的背景下，这种合作可以成为印度和美国天文学界之间更广泛、互利的科学交流的起点，包括未来潜在的EHT空间部分。
英文摘要：
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), a member of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian, is in discussions with the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and its partners in the newly formed Indian Sub-millimetre-wave Astronomy Alliance (ISAA), to collaborate in the construction of a sub-millimeter-wave astronomy observatory in the high altitude deserts of the Himalayas, initially at the 4500 m Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle. Two primary science goals are targeted. One is the mapping of the distribution of neutral atomic carbon, and the carbon monoxide (CO) molecule in higher energy states, in large parts of the Milky Way, and in selected external galaxies. Such studies would advance our understanding of molecular hydrogen present in the interstellar medium, but partly missed by existing observations; and characterize Galaxy-wide molecular cloud excitation conditions, through multi-level CO observations. Stars form in interstellar clouds of molecular gas and dust, and these observations would allow research into the formation and destruction processes of such molecular clouds and the life cycle of galaxies. As the second goal, the observatory would add a new location to the global Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) network, which lacks a station in the Himalayan longitudes. This addition would enhance the quality of the images synthesized by the EHT, support observations in higher sub-millimeter wave bands, sharpening its resolving ability, improve its dynamic imaging capability and add weather resilience to observing campaigns. In the broader context, this collaboration can be a starting point for a wider, mutually beneficial scientific exchange between the Indian and US astronomy communities, including a potential future EHT space component.
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