The Sardinia Radio Telescope
Abstract
We describe the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), a new general purpose, fully steerable antenna of the National Institute for Astrophysics. The radio telescope is under construction near Cagliari (Sardinia). With its large aperture (64m diameter) and its active surface, SRT is capable of operations up to ∼100GHz, it will contribute significantly to VLBI networks and will represent a powerful single-dish radio telescope for many science fields. The radio telescope has a Gregorian optical configuration with a supplementary beam-waveguide (BWG), which provides additional focal points. The Gregorian surfaces are shaped to minimize the spill-over and standing wave. After the start of the contract for the radio telescope structural and mechanical fabrication in 2003, in the present year the foundation construction will be completed. The schedule foresees the radio telescope inauguration in late 2006.
- Publication:
-
Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana Supplementi
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004MSAIS...5..351G
- Keywords:
-
- Ground-based radio-telescopes;
- Radioastronomy;
- active surface