Location(s) | São Gião, Oliveira do Hospital, Coimbra District, Portugal |
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Coordinates | 40°19′49″N 7°48′47″W / 40.33025°N 7.81294°W |
Altitude | 704 m (2,310 ft) |
Telescope style | radio telescope |
Diameter | 9.3 m (30 ft 6 in) |
Website |
www |
Related media on Commons | |
The São Gião Radio Telescope is situated in the parish of São Gião Portugal. It was constructed in 2015, with first light in December 2015. [1] The gregorian telescope has a diameter of 9.3 m. As of 2019 [update] it is the biggest radio telescope in mainland Portugal. Two 3 phase motors drive the azimuth and elevation (or altitude) servo systems with an accuracy of 0.01 degree. The main reflector has a solid reflector surface that makes it suitable for observations of high frequencies up to 22 GHz. [2]
It is used to observe the hydrogen line from our galaxy and maser signals from star-forming regions and late evolution AGB or OH/IR stars. [3] The frequencies used for the hydrogen line is 1.42 GHz and maser signals are measured on 1.612, [4] and 12 GHz [5] The data results obtained with the telescope were presented on EUCARA 2016 Dwingeloo Netherlands [6] and on the ASTROFESTA 2018 in Constancia Portugal. [7] [8] The telescope data and methods are also referenced by universities like the Western Kentucky University, [9] and societies like Ofiuco [10] and the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers. [11]
A report from the Correio da Beira Serra newspaper about the São Gião radio telescope, can be consulted here.