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Australia Telescope Compact Array |
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This antennas work together using a technique called ``interferometry'' which allows the antennas to mimic a much larger antenna. This gives the telescope the ability to see very fine detail. Effectively ``radio interferometry'' works by replacing the lens of a conventional imaging system with sophisticated electronics, supercomputer-like hardware and complex software. Using this technique, a image of a small section of the sky can be formed in a 12-hour period. Whereas the Array uses six antennas spread over 6km, the same interferometry principles can be applied to antennas spread over a continent. For example, several times a year, the Array is used together with other radio telescopes spread across Australia (such as the Parkes antenna) to make images with extremely fine detail.
The Array is operated by CSIROs Astronomy and Space Science division. We operate three telescopes: the Compact Array, Parkes and Mopra (a telescope near Coonabarabran).
Were also currently constructing the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder > telescope in the Mid-West of Western Australia. Collectively, CSIRO's radio astronomy observatories are known as the Australia Telescope National Facility, with the facility supporting Australia's research in radio astronomy.
The telescopes are used by a broad collection of astronomers. In the case of the Compact Array, about a third of these are from within CSIRO, about another third are from other Australian research institutions, and the remaining third is used by overseas astronomers. On average, we have two astronomers arrive and leave every day. On average, they would stay about 3 days each.
Use of our telescopes is based purely on scientific merit. Astronomers make scientific proposals to use them. These are peer reviewed, and the best proposals are then granted time. No charge is made for the use of the telescopes.
Yarrie Lake, a 1.5km-diameter circular lake, is located about 10 km south-west from the observatory, and is well worth a visit. It is a beautiful spot for a picnic.
Narrabri has a population of about 7,250 and is the centre of a large irrigation and dry-land farming district which produces cotton, oilseed, premium grade wheat, grain sorghum, and raises cattle and sheep.
Narrabri is situated on the banks of the Namoi River, 420 km north-west of Sydney, 40 km west of the Nandewar Range. It is 120 km from Coonabarabran where Mopra, the eighth Australia Telescope antenna, is located. There are three research stations in the Narrabri District: the University of Sydney's Plant Breeding Institute, the Australian Cotton Research Institute and the Australia Telescope National Facility.
The Mount Kaputar National Park is located in the Nandewar Ranges just to the east of Narrabri. The Park, like the Warrumbungles National Park near Coonabarabran (and the Siding Spring optical observatories) is of recent volcanic origin. It covers an area greater than 40,000 hectares and contains about 12 peaks over 1000 m high. The highest is Mount Kaputar at 1511 m above sea level. Camping areas and cabins are located at Dawson Spring and Bark Huts on the Kaputar Plateau. Many walking trails have been developed in the area but much of the Park is being managed as a wilderness area.
Between Narrabri and Coonabarabran to the south-west lies the 465,000-hectare Pilliga scrub. A large part of this area is preserved as the Pilliga Nature Reserve and the balance is the source of much of the state's cypress pine timber. The area is a mass of wild flowers in spring and is home to emus, kangaroos and wallabies.
Other district attractions include Keepit Dam, upstream on the Namoi River. The sophisticated cotton-growing industry is located downstream from Narrabri, and is based on irrigation from the dam. Across the Nandewar Range to the east are located some of the state's most interesting gem and rock fossicking areas.
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