Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory
Encyclopedia
Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory is a Russian
(former Soviet) radio astronomy observatory. It was developed by Lebedev Physical Institute
(LPI), Russian Academy of Sciences
within a span of twenty years. It was founded on April 11, 1956, and currently occupies 70 000 square meters.
(formerly Soviet) has had a permanent and stable connection with the P N Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences
. The institute had both permanent stations and conducted expeditions to locations in the field in the Crimea
region. These facilities, and expeditions were designed for research in radio astronomy
beginning in the late 1940s.
A decade later the center for radio astronomy research had gravitated to the southern Moscow
region (about 75 miles south of Moscow), in Pushchino
(informally called Pushchino-on-Oka). Here a new observatory
, the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory was developed within twenty years as part of the LPI Astro Space Center. It has become one of the largest radio astronomy observatories in Russia and in the world (2001). It was founded in April, 11th, 1956 under the purview of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
s at 22 meters. Constructed in 1959 these are fully steerable, and are designed to operate in millimeter and centimeter range of wavelength
. Added to the equipage is the DKR 1000, a wide-band radio telescope instrument, on-line in 1964, operating in in meter wavelength range. The DKR 1000 has arms that are 40 by 1000 meters. In 1973, another telescope was added to this set. The nomenclature is Large Phased Array with the designation BSA/LPI, operating in the meter wavelength range. The DKR 1000 and BSA/LPI, are currently the largest radio telescopes in the world, which operate in the meter range.
s along with 60 engineer
s and technicians to accomplish staff the several major departments and several labs of the observatory. These are combined with 80 other people who perform administrative duties, work shops, garage, and a staff of guards.
The departments and labs are designed to focus on scientific and technical aspects of observatory sciences.
The departments are as follows: Plasma astrophysics, Extragalactic radio astronomy, Pulsar physics, Space radio spectroscopy, and Pulsar astrometry. The laboratories are as follows: Radio astronomy equipment, Automation radio astronomy research, Computer engineering and information technology, and Radio telescopes of the meter wave-length range.
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
(former Soviet) radio astronomy observatory. It was developed by Lebedev Physical Institute
Lebedev Physical Institute
The Lebedev Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences , situated in Moscow, is one of the leading Russian research institutes specializing in physics. It is also one of the oldest research institutions in Russia: its history dates back to a collection of physics equipment established by...
(LPI), Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
within a span of twenty years. It was founded on April 11, 1956, and currently occupies 70 000 square meters.
Radio astronomy in Russia
Historically, Russian radio astronomyRadio astronomy
Radio astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that studies celestial objects at radio frequencies. The initial detection of radio waves from an astronomical object was made in the 1930s, when Karl Jansky observed radiation coming from the Milky Way. Subsequent observations have identified a number of...
(formerly Soviet) has had a permanent and stable connection with the P N Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI) of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
. The institute had both permanent stations and conducted expeditions to locations in the field in the Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
region. These facilities, and expeditions were designed for research in radio astronomy
Radio astronomy
Radio astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that studies celestial objects at radio frequencies. The initial detection of radio waves from an astronomical object was made in the 1930s, when Karl Jansky observed radiation coming from the Milky Way. Subsequent observations have identified a number of...
beginning in the late 1940s.
A decade later the center for radio astronomy research had gravitated to the southern Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
region (about 75 miles south of Moscow), in Pushchino
Pushchino
Pushchino is a town in Moscow Oblast, Russia, situated south of Moscow, on the right side of the Oka River opposite the Prioksko-Terrasny Biosphere Reserve. As it can be confused with other towns with similar names, it is informally called Pushchino-on-Oka...
(informally called Pushchino-on-Oka). Here a new observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
, the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory was developed within twenty years as part of the LPI Astro Space Center. It has become one of the largest radio astronomy observatories in Russia and in the world (2001). It was founded in April, 11th, 1956 under the purview of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
History of equipment in use
The Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory has four notable radio telescopes (RT 22), each with mirrorMirror
A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror. Some mirrors also filter out some wavelengths, while preserving other wavelengths in the reflection...
s at 22 meters. Constructed in 1959 these are fully steerable, and are designed to operate in millimeter and centimeter range of wavelength
Wavelength
In physics, the wavelength of a sinusoidal wave is the spatial period of the wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats.It is usually determined by considering the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase, such as crests, troughs, or zero crossings, and is a...
. Added to the equipage is the DKR 1000, a wide-band radio telescope instrument, on-line in 1964, operating in in meter wavelength range. The DKR 1000 has arms that are 40 by 1000 meters. In 1973, another telescope was added to this set. The nomenclature is Large Phased Array with the designation BSA/LPI, operating in the meter wavelength range. The DKR 1000 and BSA/LPI, are currently the largest radio telescopes in the world, which operate in the meter range.
Research divisions
The Observatory employs 45 researcherResearcher
A researcher is somebody who performs research, the search for knowledge or in general any systematic investigation to establish facts. Researchers can work in academic, industrial, government, or private institutions.-Examples of research institutions:...
s along with 60 engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
s and technicians to accomplish staff the several major departments and several labs of the observatory. These are combined with 80 other people who perform administrative duties, work shops, garage, and a staff of guards.
The departments and labs are designed to focus on scientific and technical aspects of observatory sciences.
The departments are as follows: Plasma astrophysics, Extragalactic radio astronomy, Pulsar physics, Space radio spectroscopy, and Pulsar astrometry. The laboratories are as follows: Radio astronomy equipment, Automation radio astronomy research, Computer engineering and information technology, and Radio telescopes of the meter wave-length range.
Main areas of research
- radio astronomy for Astrophysics
- molecular clouds physics
- space masers
- giant atoms in Space
- star formation processes (research and investigation)
- physical conditions in the diffuse interstellar medium
- supernova remnants and the interstellar medium
- radio emission of radio galaxies and quasars
- interplanetary plasma and solar wind investigations
- how perturbations propagate in the interplanetary plasma is studied
- Northern Hemispheric isotope construction
- catalogue of radio sources
- active galactic nuclei are studied
- VLBI (Very Large Baseline Interferometry)
- pulsars physics which are neutron stars
- pulsar radio emission is studied in the context of microstructure of pulse and the mechanism involved.
- establish pulsar time scale by timing of pulsars.
Outstanding achievements
- Alfven waves energy flow at 10 solar radii,
- establish the existence of a planet near pulsar PSR BO329+54,
- calalogue the spectra of 336 pulsars, discovery of a radio pulsar 102 MHz while observing X-ray radio source Geminga,
- another radio pulsar discovered as the source of SGR 1900+14
- an interplanetary scintillating method accomplishes a successful survey of compact radio sources.
External links
Pictures of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory, along with some information.- English Russia photo set with some descriptions
- Physics Upsekhi page for article
General references
- Book Chapters:
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- Book citation: Sources and Scintillations: Refraction and Scattering in Radio Astronomy. Edited by Richard Strom, Peng Bo, Mark Walker, and Nan Rendong. IAU Colloquium 182. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
- Reprinted from Astrophysics and Space ScienceAstrophysics and Space ScienceAstrophysics and Space Science is a peer reviewed, scientific journal published by Springer. It was first published in 1968. Each volume is published every two months. The Editor in Chief is Michael A. Dopita.-Aims and scope:...
, Volume 278 (1-2), 2001, p.255.
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