Institut de radioastronomie millimétrique

The Institut de radioastronomie millimétrique, known as IRAM, is an international research institute and Europe's leading center for radio astronomy at millimeter wavelengths. It was founded in 1979 by the French CNRS and the German Max Planck Society, and the Spanish Instituto Geográfico Nacional, first an associate member, became a full member in 1990. IRAM maintains and develops two observatories: NOEMA, the most powerful millimeter observatory of the Northern Hemisphere, located in the French Alps, and the 30-meter telescope in the Spanish Sierra Nevada. Its scientists and engineers also develop high frequency radio technology, and about 120 scientists, engineers and support staff work there, supporting some 5,000 astronomers worldwide.