The Haystack Telescope as an Astronomical Instrument

Abstract

The Haystack Telescope is an antenna with a diameter of 37 m and an elevation-dependent surface accuracy of &le;<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>100</mn><mspace width="3.33333pt"></mspace><mi mathvariant="sans-serif">&mu;</mi><mrow></mrow><mrow></mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">m</mi></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> that is capable of millimeter-wave observations. The radome-enclosed instrument serves as a radar sensor for space situational awareness, with about one-third of the time available for research by MIT Haystack Observatory. Ongoing testing with the K-band (18&ndash;26 GHz) and W-band receivers (currently 85&ndash;93 GHz) is preparing the inclusion of the telescope into the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) array and the use as a single-dish research telescope. Given its geographic location, the addition of the Haystack Telescope to current and future versions of the EHT array would substantially improve the image quality.