MUSCAT is a next-generation large-format mm-wavelength camera, MUSCAT (Mexico-UK Sub-mm Camera for Astronomy), for the 50-m diameter Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) in Puebla, Mexico. MUSCAT has a focal plane consisting of approximately 1,200 kinetic inductance detectors developed at Cardiff University, UK. The MUSCAT collaboration is jointly led by Cardiff University in the UK and Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica (INAOE) in Mexico.
MUSCAT is located at the 50-m Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) in Puebla, Mexico. The LMT is the world´s largest single-dish telescope operating at 1.1 mm situated on a high-altitude site (4600 m) in central Mexico with excellent atmospheric conditions for mm-wavelength astronomy. The LMT is a unique scientific facility and the addition of MUSCAT at the LMT allows for an exciting step change in the possibilities from ground-based astronomy.
MUSCAT was deployed at the LMT in 2022 and is currently undergoing final-stage commissioning in preparation to carry out science observations during 2023.
MUSCAT is funded jointly by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) through the Newton Fund.