The Morehead State University 21 M Radio Telescope: An Instrument for Niche Research
Abstract
The Space Science Center at Morehead State University has developed a medium aperture cm-wave radio telescope, the 21 M Space Tracking Antenna and Radio Telescope. The telescope- located in the mountainous region of eastern Kentuck- is engaged in rigorous research programs in radio astronomy and will also serve as a ground station with the capability of tracking low earth orbiting satellites. Currently, the telescope features receivers sensitive to radiation in the Ku-band (11.2 to 12.7 GHz, including a well-known methanol line), S band (centered at 2.4GHz) and L- band (1.4 to 1.7 GHz, including lines of atomic hydrogen and hydroxyl). The instrument’s performance characteristics support a wide variety of research. Sensitivity is in the 100 milliJansky range in L-band and in the 200 milliJansky range at Ku band. The spatial resolution achieved is 34.8 arcminutes at L-band and 1.8 arcminutes at Ku-band. Niche observational strategies for this telescope include: 1.) longitudinal studies (i.e. AGN monitoring), 2.) observations of transient phenomena (i.e. GRBs and supernovae), and 3.) surveys (i.e. kinematic studies of Galactic HI). A description of the antenna, its capabilities and research projects planned for or currently being conducted by the antenna (focusing on monitoring active galactic nuclei and surveying the Galactic supernova remnant population) will be presented and discussed. Funding for the 21m telescope has been provided by NASA, the SBA, the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation and Kentucky NSF EPSCoR.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #210
- Pub Date:
- May 2007
- Bibcode:
- 2007AAS...210.8202M