Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre

VIRAC logo.
Radio antenna RT-32.

The Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (Latvian: Ventspils Starptautiskais radioastronomijas centrs – VIRAC) is an ex-Soviet radio astronomy installation 30 km north of Ventspils, Latvia, on the coast of the Baltic Sea in Ance parish. The installation was secret until 1993 after Latvia regained independence. It was taken over by the Latvian Academy of Sciences after the withdrawal of the Soviet Army in 1994. Since then, the two remaining radio telescopes have been repaired.

Description

Established on 24 February 1996,[1] its current configuration consists of a 32-metre, fully steerable parabolic, centimetre-wave range antenna (RT-32) and a 16-metre diameter antenna (RT-16). The bigger one is the largest radio telescope in northern Europe and the world's eighth largest.[2] This combination of size and precision engineering makes the larger dish especially valuable to scientists. The structure was built by a naval factory in Ukraine, and the interiors are reminiscent of a ship.

In January 2015, the RT-32 antenna was temporarily dismounted and extensively repaired on-site. It was restored atop the structure as part of a wider modernization of the complex.[3][4]

Technical parameters of RT-32 cassegrain system

See also

References

  1. ↑ Eugenia Bulumac, Richard A. Bendis (2001). Utilizing Technology Transfer to Develop Small and Medium Enterprises 27. IOS Press. p. 105. ISBN 1586031473.
  2. ↑ Stephen Baister, Chris Patrick (2007). Latvia. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 177. ISBN 184162201X.
  3. ↑ "Radiotelescope gears up for new age". LSM.lv. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Radiotelescope to point skyward again for space science". LSM.lv. Retrieved 16 June 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Irbene RT32 radiotelescope.

Coordinates: 57°33′29″N 21°51′28″E / 57.55806°N 21.85778°E / 57.55806; 21.85778


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