ARO 12m Radio Telescope facts for kids
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| Alternative names | ARO12m |
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| Part of | Kitt Peak National Observatory  |
| Location(s) | Arizona |
| Coordinates | 31°57′12″N 111°36′54″W / 31.9533°N 111.615°W |
| Altitude | 1,914 m (6,280 ft) |
| Telescope style | radio telescope |
| Diameter | 12 m (39 ft 4 in) |
| Website | aro |
 Location of ARO 12m Radio Telescope
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The ARO 12m Radio Telescope (also called ARO12m or KP12m) is a special kind of telescope. It's located on Kitt Peak in Arizona, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Tucson. This telescope sits high up, at an elevation of about 1,914 meters (6,280 feet). Instead of seeing light like regular telescopes, it "sees" radio waves from space.
Contents
History of the ARO 12m Radio Telescope
Early Days: The 36-foot Telescope
The telescope was first built in 1967. It was part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). Back then, it was known as the 36-foot Telescope. It was about 11 meters (36 feet) across.
Becoming the 12 Meter Telescope
In 1984, the telescope got a big upgrade. It received a new support structure and a slightly larger dish. Its name was then changed to the 12 Meter Telescope. This new name came from its new diameter of 12 meters (about 39 feet).
New Management: University of Arizona
In 2000, the University of Arizona took over the telescope's operations from the NRAO. The university already ran another telescope, the Submillimeter Telescope (SMT). To manage both, they created the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO). The ARO is part of the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory.
A Major Upgrade in 2013
A big change happened in 2013. The entire telescope, including its dish and mount, was replaced. The new part came from a prototype antenna for the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). This ALMA prototype was originally in New Mexico.
The new antenna is still 12 meters wide. However, it is much more precise. This means it can be used to study even shorter radio wavelengths. It also has better pointing accuracy, helping scientists get clearer signals from space.
Science at the 12m Radio Telescope
The 12m Radio Telescope has been very important for studying space. For almost 40 years, it has led the way in millimeter molecular astronomy. This field uses special techniques to study molecules in space.
Scientists use something called molecular spectroscopy at millimeter wavelengths. This helps them identify different molecules by the radio waves they give off. Many of the molecules found in the vast spaces between stars, called the interstellar medium, were first discovered by the 12m telescope.
See Also
- List of astronomical observatories
- Lists of telescopes
