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The Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (official name of CCAT-prime aka CCAT-p, for Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope, prime) is a 6-meter submillimeter telescope under construction on the 5600 meter (~18400 ft, nearly the highest altitude of any ground-based research telescope) Cerro Chajnantor peak in the Atacama Desert, Chile, aiming for first light in 2024. The project is one outgrowth of the more ambitious (25-meter) CCAT proposal.
It is designed for efficient surveys, with a large field of view in the far-infrared/microwave range (a general range of 200 μm to 3.1 mm) aiming to survey the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, intensity mapping of the redshifted [CII], and to take advantage of its capabilities for other science. The high, desert site is ideal for millimeter astronomy, offering many clear days/nights for observation and minimal moisture, thus minimizing absorption from water lines. Frequent night-time temperature inversions below the level of the telescope result in even drier air for observation. The telescope housing and mirrors operate as a unit, the housing turning and tilting (elevating) with the mirrors, and the elevation range spans 180°, i.e., the aim can flip across the zenith. The intended scanning is horizontal, so each entire sweep experiences analogous atmospheric effects. It has a large, flat focal plane. Initial instruments:
Prime-Cam allows seven instruments to survey simultaneously and an additional instrument location (using an alternate optical path via a fold mirror) where CHAI will be located, with room for an additional instrument. Plans have included:
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