Institut de radioastronomie millimétrique

The Institute of Millimeter Radio Astronomy operates advanced telescopes and instruments located in Saint-Martin-d'Hères and Grenoble. The facilities enable researchers to study cold matter, molecular gas, and cosmic dust by detecting radiation that ordinary telescopes cannot capture.

The institution was founded in 1979 as a partnership between the French CNRS and the German Max Planck Society. Spain joined the collaboration later, expanding it into a three-nation scientific enterprise focused on radio astronomy.

The site brings together researchers from multiple European nations who exchange ideas and work on projects side by side. This collaborative spirit shapes how scientists approach problems and how findings travel between partner institutions.

The institute is not open to the public as it operates as a research facility without visitor access. Interested people can follow its work and research findings through online publications and project updates.

The telescopes detect millimeter-wave radiation, a type of signal completely invisible to human eyes. This capability opens views of the universe that ordinary optical telescopes cannot reach at all.

Location: Grenoble

Location: Saint-Martin-d'Hères

Inception: 1979

Address: 300 rue de la Piscine, Domaine Universitaire, 38406 Saint Martin d'Hères

Website: https://iram-institute.org

GPS coordinates: 45.19358,5.76069

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:40