Australia Telescope Compact Array

Definition

The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) is a radio telescope array located near Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia. It consists of six 22-meter antennas used for conducting detailed radio astronomical observations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ATCA is operated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
2. It was officially opened in September 1988.
3. The array can be configured to span distances ranging from 30 meters to several kilometers.
4. ATCA is primarily used for studying celestial phenomena such as star formation, supernova remnants, and active galactic nuclei.
5. It operates at frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 105 GHz.

Review Questions

Related terms

Very Large Array (VLA): A radio astronomy observatory in New Mexico consisting of 27 antennas arranged in a Y-shaped configuration.

Interferometry:

A technique that combines the signals from multiple telescopes to achieve higher resolution images.

Radio Astronomy:

The study of celestial objects that emit radio waves.