The Case for a Publicly Available, Well-Instrumented GBT Operating at 20-115 GHz

TL;DR

This paper advocates for maintaining and instrumenting the Green Bank Telescope at 20-115 GHz to enable unique, high-frequency astronomical observations that complement interferometers and support cutting-edge science.

Contribution

It proposes a plan to keep the GBT operational and well-instrumented at high frequencies, emphasizing its scientific importance and complementary role.

Findings

The GBT can perform fast mapping of extended, low surface brightness emission.

Instrumenting the GBT at these frequencies enhances its scientific utility.

Maintaining the GBT supports cutting-edge research and complements interferometric facilities.

Abstract

A well-instrumented Green Bank Telescope (GBT) operating at high frequency represents a unique scientific resource for the US community. As a filled-aperture, 100m-diameter telescope, the GBT is ideally suited to fast mapping of extended, low surface brightness emission with excellent instantaneous frequency coverage. This capability makes the GBT a key facility for a range of cutting edge science described in this document, only possible at these frequencies. We note that the ability to perform the necessary observations is unique and highly complementary to the capabilities offered by interferometers, and should be preserved. We argue that rather than divesting from this exceptional resource, it makes sense for the US community to invest moderately to maintain GBT operations and to instrument it in an optimal manner, enabling it to become an extraordinary complement to existing and future radio interferometers. Adequately instrumented, the GBT would be a pillar for 20-115 GHz science in the US and the world.