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RAO directory listing: ATCA


The RAO directory is the Radio Astronomy Observatories directory. It contains a listing of all the the radio telescopes that are currently operating in the world and lists their basic capabilities. The following is derived from the latest entry for the Compact Array.

1. Name of Facility: Australia Telescope Compact Array

2. Operating Administration: Australia Telescope National Facility

3. Sponsor: CSIRO

4. Location: Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia

CSIRO - Australia Telescope
Locked Bag 194
Narrabri NSW 2390
AUSTRALIA

149 32 56.327 E - at Station 35, centre of the 6km baseline
-30 18 52.048 S - at Station 35, centre of the 6km baseline

5. Altitude: 207.780m - at Station 35, centre of the 6km baseline

TELESCOPES

6. Type (and array configuration): 6 transportable, steerable, shaped, cassegrain antennas. Alt-az mount. 5 are located on a 3km E/W railway and one a further 3km to the west. Max. baseline = 6km, Min. baseline = 30m.

7. Diameter: 22m

8. Height:

9. Sky Coverage: Az 0-360 degrees, El 12-90 degrees

10. Collecting area: 2200 sq.m

11. References: JEEEA Vol 12, No.2. (Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Australia) June, 1992.

DATA COLLECTION

12. Frequency:

1250-1760 MHz (L-Band)
2200-2500 MHz (S-Band)
4400-6100 MHz ( + 6100-6860 MHz ) (C-Band)
8000-9200 MHz (X-Band)

Other bands are planned. Notably:

322 - 329 MHz (UHF)
582-603 MHz (A-Band)
12000-25000 MHz (K-Band)
42000-50000 MHz (Q-Band)
84000-98500 MHz (W-Band)
105000-115000 MHz (F-Band)

13. Bandwidth: 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 & 128 MHz (all frequencies)

14. Noise temperature:

35K (1250-1760 MHz)
35K (2200-2500 MHz)
40K (4400-6100 MHz) ( 100K @ 6670 MHz )
45K (8000-9200 MHz)

15. Integration time: typically 10s cycles for 12h synthesis

16. Type of observation: Earth rotation aperture synthesis and VLBI. Continuum, spectral line and pulsar gating. Frequency switching, band switching and mosaicing.

17. Polarization: Full stokes (linears)

18. Short remarks: 14 standard configurations are all offered over a period of time, Other special configurations available on application to the Time Assignment Commitee. Full lodging facilities are available at the observatory.

Original: Derek McKay (21-FEB-1995)
Modified: Nuria McKay (9-OCT-1995)