40-foot radio telescope
Part of | Green Bank Observatory |
---|---|
Location(s) | Green Bank, Pocahontas County, West Virginia |
Coordinates | 38°26′14″N 79°49′53″W / 38.43722°N 79.83139°W |
Altitude | 2,684 feet (818 m) |
First light | 14 December 1961 |
Telescope style | radio telescope |
Diameter | 40 ft (12 m) |
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The 40-foot radio telescope at Green Bank Observatory in the U.S. state of West Virginia was constructed in 1961, and started observing a selection of variable radio sources in the same year, completing its observations in 1968. It became the first automated telescope in 1962. It was subsequently used during summer schools, and in 1987 it was repurposed as an educational telescope, as well as continuing to observe radio sources. In 2021 the telescope celebrated its sixtieth anniversary, having been in continuous use since its 1987 restoration, and used by more than 1,500 students.
Specifications
The radio telescope has a diameter of 40 feet (12 m)
It observes at
History
The 40-foot was ordered in 1961 from Antenna Systems.[1] It was delivered to Green Bank Observatory in December 1961,[4] and took two days to assemble. Its first light was on 14 December 1961. The original control system was constructed by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). On 1 February 1962, it became the first telescope to be fully automated,[1][5] ahead of the automation of optical telescopes like that at Washburn Observatory from the late 1960s onwards.[6] It was used to survey a number of variable radio sources from 1962 until 1968.[2]: 2
After the completion of the survey in 1968, it was used occasionally as an educational instrument as part of the Green Bank radio astronomy summer schools. In 1987 it was restored and upgraded
The 40-foot telescope has since been in continuous use since its restoration,[10] and has been used by over 1,500 students.[1] It celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 2021 while still in use.[4]
Science
It was originally used to observe eight variable
As part of its educational use, it has continued to observe some of the original radio sources it was targeting. Data from 1995 to 1999 comparing Cas A to Cyg A was published in 2000,
It has also been used to observe the H I region in the spiral arms of the Milky Way[14] and the Andromeda Galaxy, as well as intensity and polarized synchrotron radiation from the galactic plane and North Polar Spur.[15]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "40 ft". Green Bank Observatory. 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Green Bank Observatory 40-foot radio telescope operator's manual" (PDF). Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Wikidata Q59879147.
- ^ a b Skeldon, Katherine (9 December 2021). "Green Bank Observatory celebrates 60th birthday of 40-foot telescope". WOAY-TV. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "World's First Automated Radio Telescope". National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- Wikidata Q110368513.
- ^ Wikidata Q110368819
- ^ "ERIRA". Dan Reichart.
- ^ "For Students – Research". Green Bank Observatory. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "40 Foot Telescope". NRAO. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- Wikidata Q110380956
- Wikidata Q68565587.
- Wikidata Q68275286.
- ^ "Astronomy and physics students visit Green Bank Telescope". College of Arts and Sciences. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Radio Astrophotography". Dan Reichart. Retrieved 1 January 2022.