Antony Stark (Harvard/SAO)

STO-Mopra Collaboration on Galactic Ecology - Antony Stark Seminar

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

The Statospheric Terahertz Observatory, a balloon-borne instrument for terahertz observations of the southern Milky Way, has seen first light, and is expected to make several Antarctic flights in coming years. With data from STO, ATCA/Parkes, WMAP, NANTEN2, and Mopra, we will have a first opportunity to study carbon in all its forms, as it cycles from molecular clouds into stars and back to the interstellar medium --- an essential part of the story of our origins. We will directly witness the formation and destruction of molecular clouds. While the Columbia/CfA CO survey covers the survey region, its resolution is inadequate compared to the other data sets and what can be obtained with Mopra. The needed survey data, &#8467; = 305 degrees to &#8467; = 340 degrees, |b| < 1, in CO and 13CO J=1-0, can now be achieved with fast on-the-fly mapping.