The Antarctic 12-m Terahertz Telescope (ATT12), led by researchers at the University of Tsukuba, promises to revolutionize our understanding of galaxy formation by detecting millions of previously hidden dusty star-forming galaxies. A new simulation study shows the instrument could identify between 1 and 10 million such galaxies across cosmic history.
Terahertz radiation occupies the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared light and radio waves, making it ideal for penetrating cosmic dust that obscures star formation. Most star formation in the early universe occurs within dust clouds, rendering these galaxies invisible to optical telescopes. The ATT12 will observe at terahertz wavelengths, bypassing this limitation entirely.
The University of Tsukuba team conducted detailed simulations to forecast the telescope's discovery potential. Their calculations indicate the facility will detect galaxies at various cosmic distances and epochs, providing an unprecedented census of dusty star-forming galaxies from the universe's infancy through its maturity. This catalog will reveal how galaxies assembled their stellar mass and evolved over billions of years.
Locating the facility in Antarctica offers substantial advantages. The continent's extremely dry atmosphere and stable, cold conditions minimize atmospheric water vapor that absorbs terahertz radiation. These conditions make Antarctica ideal for terahertz observations that would prove impossible at lower latitudes or elevations.
The ATT12 represents a collaborative effort combining Japanese expertise with international partnerships. The 12-meter primary mirror will enable fine spatial resolution, allowing astronomers to distinguish individual galaxies and map their internal structure. Combined with terahertz sensitivity, this capability addresses a critical gap in current observational astronomy.
Current infrared facilities like the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based submillimeter observatories detect only the brightest, most massive dusty galaxies. The ATT12 will