# Institut de radioastronomie millimétrique

> international research organisation

**Wikidata**: [Q921803](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q921803)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institut_de_radioastronomie_millimétrique)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/institut-de-radioastronomie-millimetrique

## Summary
The Institut de radioastronomie millimétrique (IRAM) is an international research organization founded in 1979 to advance millimeter-wave astronomy. It operates world-class observatories, including the 30-meter telescope in Spain and the NOEMA array in France, enabling groundbreaking studies of celestial objects. IRAM is jointly supported by research institutions in France, Germany, and Spain.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1979 as a collaborative initiative between France, Germany, and Spain.
- Operates two major facilities: the 30-meter telescope on Pico Veleta (Spain) and the NOEMA interferometer in the French Alps.
- Parent organizations include the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the Max Planck Society, and the Spanish Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN).
- Participated in the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration, contributing to the first image of a black hole.
- Headquartered in Grenoble, France, with additional sites in Saint-Martin-d’Hères and Spain.
- Coordinates: 45.193583333333° N, 5.7606944444444° E (Grenoble location).

## FAQs
### Q: When was IRAM established?
A: IRAM was founded in 1979 through an international partnership between France, Germany, and Spain.

### Q: What are IRAM’s primary research facilities?
A: IRAM operates the 30-meter radio telescope in Spain and the NOEMA (Northern Extended Millimeter Array) observatory in France.

### Q: What is IRAM’s role in the Event Horizon Telescope project?
A: IRAM contributed critical data and expertise to the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration, which captured the first-ever image of a black hole in 2019.

## Why It Matters
IRAM plays a pivotal role in advancing millimeter-wave astronomy, a field essential for studying cosmic phenomena such as star formation, galaxy evolution, and the interstellar medium. Its state-of-the-art observatories, the 30-meter telescope and NOEMA, provide scientists with high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy capabilities that are unmatched at these wavelengths. By fostering international collaboration and sharing resources, IRAM enables discoveries that reshape our understanding of the universe. Its involvement in landmark projects like the Event Horizon Telescope underscores its scientific leadership and technical innovation, ensuring continued contributions to global astronomy research.

## Notable For
- **NOEMA Observatory**: A network of 15-meter telescopes in the French Alps, forming one of the world’s most powerful millimeter-wave interferometers.
- **30-Meter Telescope**: One of the largest single-dish millimeter telescopes globally, located at 2,900 meters altitude in Spain.
- **Black Hole Imaging**: Key contributor to the Event Horizon Telescope’s imaging of the black hole in galaxy M87.
- **International Governance**: Unique partnership model involving France (CNRS), Germany (Max Planck Society), and Spain (IGN).
- **High-Altitude Sites**: Strategic placement of observatories to minimize atmospheric interference, optimizing data quality.

## Body
### Founding and Governance
IRAM was established in 1979 as a joint initiative of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the German Max Planck Society, and the Spanish Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN). This partnership reflects its international scope, with headquarters in Grenoble, France, and operational sites in Spain and the French Alps.

### Research Facilities
- **30-Meter Telescope**: Located on Pico Veleta (Spain) at 2,900 meters elevation, this instrument specializes in millimeter-wave observations of molecular clouds, galaxies, and cosmic dust.
- **NOEMA Interferometer**: Situated in the French Alps, NOEMA comprises twelve 15-meter antennas that work together to achieve high-resolution imaging. The array’s name was adopted in 2015, succeeding the earlier Plateau de Bure Interferometer.

### Key Contributions
IRAM’s facilities have driven numerous scientific breakthroughs, including:
- Mapping the distribution of dark matter in galaxies.
- Analyzing the chemical composition of comets and planetary atmospheres.
- Providing critical data for the Event Horizon Telescope’s black hole imaging.

### International Collaboration
IRAM participates in global projects such as the Event Horizon Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Its open-access policies and collaborative frameworks support researchers worldwide, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of the astronomical community.

### Technical Specifications
- **30-Meter Telescope**: Surface accuracy of 0.1 mm, operating at wavelengths between 0.3 mm and 1 cm.
- **NOEMA**: Baseline distances up to 2.4 kilometers, enabling unprecedented spatial resolution in the millimeter range.

## References

1. [The Institute](http://www.iram-institute.org/EN/content-page-8-1-8-0-0-0.html)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. ROR release v1.19
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GRID Release 2015-12-14
6. French National Directory of Research Structures
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. HAL