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
- The ATCA is operated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
- It was officially opened in September 1988.
- The array can be configured to span distances ranging from 30 meters to several kilometers.
- ATCA is primarily used for studying celestial phenomena such as star formation, supernova remnants, and active galactic nuclei.
- It operates at frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 105 GHz.
Review Questions
- Who operates the Australia Telescope Compact Array?
- What is the range of frequencies at which ATCA operates?
- In what year was the Australia Telescope Compact Array officially opened?
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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.
