The Cosmic Anisotropy Telescope (CAT) was a three-element

interferometer Interferometry is a technique which uses the '' interference'' of superimposed waves to extract information. Interferometry typically uses electromagnetic waves and is an important investigative technique in the fields of astronomy, fiber o ...

for

cosmic microwave background radiation In Big Bang cosmology the cosmic microwave background (CMB, CMBR) is electromagnetic radiation that is a remnant from an early stage of the universe, also known as "relic radiation". The CMB is faint cosmic background radiation filling all space ...

(CMB/R) observations at 13 to 17

GHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...

, based at the

Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory The Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory (MRAO) is located near Cambridge, UK and is home to a number of the largest and most advanced aperture synthesis radio telescopes in the world, including the One-Mile Telescope, 5-km Ryle Telescope, an ...

. In 1995, it was the first instrument to measure small-scale structure in the cosmic

microwave Microwave is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter corresponding to frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz respectively. Different sources define different frequency ra ...

background. When the more sensitive Very Small Array came online, the CAT telescope was decommissioned in a ceremonial

bonfire A bonfire is a large and controlled outdoor fire, used either for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Etymology The earliest recorded uses of the word date back to the late 15th century, with the Catho ...

External links

Cosmic Anisotropy Telescope (CAT) online

The first detection of small-scale structure
in the cosmic microwave background

* ttps://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cambridge&ll=52.165135,0.037379&spn=0.005643,0.007811&t=k&hl=en The CAT enclosureon

Google Maps Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets (Street View), real-time traffic conditions, and rou ...

Cavendish Laboratory Radio telescopes Interferometric telescopes Cosmic microwave background experiments {{physical-cosmology-stub