Chilbolton Observatory
The Chilbolton Observatory is a facility for atmospheric and radio research located on the edge of the village of Chilbolton near Stockbridge in Hampshire, England. The facilities are run by the STFC Radio Communications Research Unit of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and form part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council..
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Construction of Chilbolton Observatory started in 1963. It was built partially on the site of RAF Chilbolton, which was decommissioned in 1946. Several sites around the south-east of England were considered for the construction. The site at Chilbolton, on the edge of Salisbury Plain, was chosen in part because of excellent visibility of the horizon and its relative remoteness from major roads whose cars could cause interference. However the A30 passes within 1.4 miles (2.2 km) from the telescope..
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The facility was opened in April, 1967. However, within several months of being commissioned the azimuth bearing of the antenna suffered a catastrophic failure. GEC were contracted to repair the bearing and devised a system to replace the failed part while leaving the 400 tonne dish ostensibly in-place..
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Originally, the antenna was engaged in Ku band radio astronomy, but now operates as a S and L band radar..
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In January 2006 Chilbolton received the first signals from the new GIOVE-A satellite launched for the ESA's Galileo navigation system. Recent developments have added new capability to detect orbiting satellites and space debris..
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Chilbolton is a village and civil parish whos parish church of St Mary the Less dates back to the 12th century, on the site of an earlier wooden church..
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Chilbolton is recorded in the Domesday Book under the name Cilbodentune..
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Chilbolton Observatory
The Chilbolton Observatory is a facility for atmospheric and radio research located on the edge of the village of Chilbolton near Stockbridge in Hampshire, England. The facilities are run by the STFC Radio Communications Research Unit of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and form part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council..
.
Construction of Chilbolton Observatory started in 1963. It was built partially on the site of RAF Chilbolton, which was decommissioned in 1946. Several sites around the south-east of England were considered for the construction. The site at Chilbolton, on the edge of Salisbury Plain, was chosen in part because of excellent visibility of the horizon and its relative remoteness from major roads whose cars could cause interference. However the A30 passes within 1.4 miles (2.2 km) from the telescope..
.
The facility was opened in April, 1967. However, within several months of being commissioned the azimuth bearing of the antenna suffered a catastrophic failure. GEC were contracted to repair the bearing and devised a system to replace the failed part while leaving the 400 tonne dish ostensibly in-place..
.
Originally, the antenna was engaged in Ku band radio astronomy, but now operates as a S and L band radar..
.
In January 2006 Chilbolton received the first signals from the new GIOVE-A satellite launched for the ESA's Galileo navigation system. Recent developments have added new capability to detect orbiting satellites and space debris..
.
Chilbolton is a village and civil parish whos parish church of St Mary the Less dates back to the 12th century, on the site of an earlier wooden church..
.
Chilbolton is recorded in the Domesday Book under the name Cilbodentune..
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