Astrophysics (Index) | About |
The Greenland Telescope (GLT) is a 12-meter radio telescope located at Pituffik Space Base (previously known as Thule Air Base) on the Greenland coast, which went into service at the end of 2017, sponsored by several groups including National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA). The antenna is re-used, originally built as a prototype for Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). A primary purpose is to be used for very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), specifically, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). With the South Pole Telescope (SPT), a 12000 km north/south baseline is possible. Equipment includes 86 GHz, 230 GHz, and 354 GHz single-pixel receivers for VLBI use.
Plans are to relocate the telescope to Summit Station (Summit Camp), a higher-altitude site in central Greenland, which is 340 km (~300 miles) further south (slightly reducing the telescope's baseline with the SPT), but 3140 meters (10300 feet) higher, which provides better atmospheric windows. Summit Station is 980 km (610 miles) from Pituffik, with no roads between, making transport of the dish a challenge.