A synthesis telescope at Molonglo.

The feasibility of using the mechanically steerable east-west antennas of the Molonglo Radio Observatory in conjunction with a phased and steerable system is being considered. This is equivalent to a telescope with an alt-alt mounting which may be tracked under computer control. The use of this system as an unconventional rotational synthesis telescope is discussed with attention given to fan beam synthesis, and engineering design. In the full synthesis mode, the final expected performance figures are: a beamwidth of about 40 sec, a bandwidth of about 4 MHz, rms noise after 12 hours of about 0.2 mJy, a synthesis field diameter at the Pole of about 45 min, and a maximum useful synthesis field diameter (after two 12 hour sessions) of about 1.5 degrees.