Alessandro Cabras
Night Maintenance at the SRT
Location: Sardinia Radio Telescope, San Basilio (Cagliari) 09040 - Italy
Date: July 10, 2024
Techniques: Stacking of 10 single-exposure photos
Description: The Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), located at latitude 39.4930N and longitude 9.2451E, is a versatile single-dish radio telescope used for radio astronomy, geodynamical studies, and space science. It can operate in both single dish and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) modes. Managed by the Italian Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) since its completion in August 2012, the SRT features a 64-meter steerable parabolic dish with an active surface composed of over 1100 actuators. These actuators adjust the primary mirror to maintain its ideal shape despite gravitational, thermal, and wind effects, enabling high efficiency up to 115 GHz. The optical system employs a quasi-Gregorian configuration to minimize standing waves between reflectors. Additionally, a Beam Wave Guide (BWG) system with three supplementary mirrors provides multiple focal positions.
Night Maintenance at the SRT
Location: Sardinia Radio Telescope, San Basilio (Cagliari) 09040 - Italy
Date: July 10, 2024
Techniques: Stacking of 10 single-exposure photos
Description: The Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), located at latitude 39.4930N and longitude 9.2451E, is a versatile single-dish radio telescope used for radio astronomy, geodynamical studies, and space science. It can operate in both single dish and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) modes. Managed by the Italian Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) since its completion in August 2012, the SRT features a 64-meter steerable parabolic dish with an active surface composed of over 1100 actuators. These actuators adjust the primary mirror to maintain its ideal shape despite gravitational, thermal, and wind effects, enabling high efficiency up to 115 GHz. The optical system employs a quasi-Gregorian configuration to minimize standing waves between reflectors. Additionally, a Beam Wave Guide (BWG) system with three supplementary mirrors provides multiple focal positions.