Re: ATM [Fwd: [ASTRO] New Optical Detector Could Revolutionize Astronomy]

["James E. Gort" <gort@sonetis.com>]

This development seems highly promising and bears watching by both the professional
and amateur communities.

But it may be interesting to note that the basic idea is not very novel, having
taken some decades to evolve.  Back in '68-'70, I was part of a team to develop a
supercooled Josephson Junction for the 107-inch at McDonald Observatory.  This used
the very sensitive (and almost noise-free) electrical characteristics of quantum
mechanical tunnelling across the junction being affected by incident radiation (in
this case, far infrared photons). We also observed M1 (and Cygnus A), and things
looked promising.  But when I left Texas in 1970, I lost track of this research.
Glad superconductivity may show some promise for observers.  And as more
high-temperature superconductors are developed, ATMs may also "soon" take advantage
of the technology.

To make this story even more relevant to ATMing, we used a typical ATM
improvisational method when on our first observing trip.  Half-way to Ft. Davis, we
realized that our rubber balloon (needed for the liquid helium transfer tube) was
forgotten.  So we stopped in the nearest drugstore and purchased a nice supply of
prophylactics.  Worked like a charm!

Jim Gort