Medicina Radio Observatory
Encyclopedia
The Medicina Radio Observatory is an astronomical observatory located 30 km from Bologna, Italy. It is operated by the Radio Astronomy Institute of the National Institute for Astrophysics of the government of Italy.
The site includes a 32-metre diameter parabolic antenna
for observing between 1 and 23 GHz
and a 564 by 640 m, 30000 square meter multi-element "Northern Cross" antenna for observing at 408 MHz. The 32-m antenna is used as a single-dish instrument for astrophysical observations and SETI
experiments and as a VLBI station for interferometric observations. The Cross is currently used as a prototype for the SKA
.
The site includes a 32-metre diameter parabolic antenna
Parabolic antenna
A parabolic antenna is an antenna that uses a parabolic reflector, a curved surface with the cross-sectional shape of a parabola, to direct the radio waves. The most common form is shaped like a dish and is popularly called a dish antenna or parabolic dish...
for observing between 1 and 23 GHz
GHZ
GHZ or GHz may refer to:# Gigahertz .# Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state — a quantum entanglement of three particles.# Galactic Habitable Zone — the region of a galaxy that is favorable to the formation of life....
and a 564 by 640 m, 30000 square meter multi-element "Northern Cross" antenna for observing at 408 MHz. The 32-m antenna is used as a single-dish instrument for astrophysical observations and SETI
SETI
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence is the collective name for a number of activities people undertake to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. Some of the most well known projects are run by the SETI Institute. SETI projects use scientific methods to search for intelligent life...
experiments and as a VLBI station for interferometric observations. The Cross is currently used as a prototype for the SKA
Square Kilometre Array
The Square Kilometre Array is a radio telescope in development which will have a total collecting area of approximately one square kilometre. It will operate over a wide range of frequencies and its size will make it 50 times more sensitive than any other radio instrument...
.