Why support IRAM?

IRAM's generous funding partners provide crucial support for its efforts in pushing back the frontiers of astronomy and ensure its capacity to provide the world scientific community with the best in millimeter radio astronomy, facilities and technology. Without this support IRAM's ability to maintain, develop and support the world's most powerful millimeter wavelength observatories would be in jeopardy.

Current fund-raising activities include the NOEMA project, a doubling the amount of antennas at the Plateau de Bure interferometer from 6 to 12, see image above. This will result in a quadrupling of the image resolution and, at least, a ten-fold improvement in the observatory's sensitivity.

The Institute's active research in cutting-edge science such as high-frequency technology and high-speed digital electronics have a huge impact on other applied sciences including medical imaging, high-speed communication technology and precision remote sensing.

As one of the world's pioneering astronomical organizations, IRAM plays an important part in addressing some of the fundamental questions of life such as the origin of our planet, the existence of black holes and even the search for extraterrestrial life.

Each funding partner is owed a debt of gratitude for supporting the Institute in its efforts to make a real difference for science both now and in the future.

If you would like to find out how you can support IRAM, please contact IRAM Deputy Director Karl Schuster.