Laboratories
Astrochemistry/Spectroscopy Laboratory
Led by Professor Lucy Ziurys, the Astrochemistry/Spectroscopy Laboratory has developed a series of spectrometers that enable the measurement of the pure rotational spectra of potential interstellar molecules over 7 octaves in frequency (4 – 800 GHz). Thus far, rotational spectra of 83 molecules have been acquired.
Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics
The Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics (CAAO) focused primarily on the development of adaptive optics techniques for enhancing the resolving power of both imaging and spectrographic instruments at large ground-based telescopes. These goals mandated a highly interdisciplinary team including members from the fields of astronomy, optical sciences, control theory, computer science, and electronic engineering.
Imaging Technology Laboratory (ITL)
The UA’s Imaging Technology Laboratory is dedicated to developing scientific imaging detectors for the worldwide scientific community. Originally known as the Steward Observatory (SO) CCD Laboratory, ITL has been a research group within SO under Director Dr. Michael Lesser since 1990.
Infrared Detector Laboratory
The Infrared Detector Laboratory at Steward Observatory, a leading center in infrared detector technology, has played an important role in virtually all of the space-based infrared astronomy missions to date. Starting with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) launched in 1983 and continuing to the focal plane arrays for JWST, the laboratory has contributed key technologies to various missions. The far-infrared detectors for the Sptizer Space telescope were buit in the Infrared Detector Laboratory. The current project is the production of the focal plane arrays for NIRCam on JWST. The Infrared Detector Laboratory is led by Dr. Erick Young.
Steward Observatory Radio Astronomy Laboratory (SORAL)
Under the direction of Professor Chris Walker, SORAL has developed state of the art instrumentation for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. Current projects include the 64-element SuperCam receiver for the Heinrich Hertz Telescope, receivers for the AST/RO telescope and the South Pole, and the Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory, a long duration submillimeter balloon payload.