A Submillimeter Mission for the 1990s: SMMM

Abstract

Submillimeter wavelengths hold the key to some of the most important aspects of astronomy. These range from star-forming molecular clouds and proto-planetary disks in our galaxy to infrared emitting galaxies at cosmological distances. Indeed, the essential problems of star-formation and galaxy-formation will be directly probed by the submillimeter spectral lines and continuum radiation emitted by these objects. Other fascinating topics falling into the submillimeter band include the Wien component of the cosmic background radiation, containing information on the nature of the early universe, and nearer to home, the spectroscopy of planetary atmospheres. Since the submillimeter contains fundamental information on the physics and chemistry of so many aspects of our universe, every effort should be made to provide the very best instrumentation for these astronomical studies. We should be capable of detection and analysis of even the most distant objects yet conceived.