Viper telescope
Part ofAmundsen–Scott South Pole Station Edit this on Wikidata
Location(s)Antarctic Treaty area
Coordinates90°00′S 139°16′W / 90°S 139.27°W / -90; -139.27
Wavelength40 GHz (7.5 mm)
First light1998 Edit this on Wikidata
DecommissionedNovember 2005 Edit this on Wikidata
Telescope stylecosmic microwave background experiment
radio interferometer Edit this on Wikidata
Diameter2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Viper telescope is located in Antarctica
Viper telescope
Location of Viper telescope

The Viper telescope was a 2-metre telescope used to observe the submillimetre band from the South Pole.[1] This telescope was located at the Center for Astrophysical Research, also known as (CARA), in the Amundsen-Scott station in Antarctica. The project was operated by many scientists; the team leader, Dr. Jeffrey Peterson, is a Carnegie Mellon astrophysicist.

Viper was mainly used to view cosmic background radiation.[2] First operational in 1998, the telescope was used to help scientists prove or disprove the Big Crunch theory. The telescope was at the time also one of the most powerful of its kind. Previous cosmic background telescopes were smaller and less sensitive. It was decommissioned in 2005.

References

  1. Novak, Giles; et al. (1995). "Polarimetric submillimeter observations from the South Pole". Airborne Astronomy Symposium on the Galactic Ecosystem: From Gas to Stars to Dust. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 73: 563–566. Bibcode:1995ASPC...73..563N.
  2. Griffin, G.; et al. (May 1998). "The Viper Telescope : an Instrument to Measure Primary and Secondary CMB Anisotropy at Small Scales". Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. American Astronomical Society, 192nd AAS Meeting. 30: 904. Bibcode:1998AAS...192.5803G. 58.03.



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