A Radio Telescope for Ireland
Technical Specifications
- Copy of an existing 32-m design, such as those implemented by Jodrell Bank at Cambridge (UK) or the Torun Radio Astronomy Observatory (Poland)
- Fully steerable altitude-azimuth mount
- Fully frequency-flexible at observing frequencies up to 22GHz
- Surface shaped for maximum efficiency
- Data transmission via dedicated optic fibres to the UK and over GEANT to the Netherlands for networked observations with MERLIN and the European VLBI Network
Costs
- A radio-quiet site near Birr is being provided by Lord Rosse
- The possibility of constructing a second radio telescope in Northern Ireland, most likely at a site near the Armagh Observatory, is being investigated
- Complete cost for construction and outfitting of one 32-m telescope is estimated to be €10 million
- Estimated running costs for one telescope are ~ €300,000 per year
- Cost of the data transmission links is being assessed; test obsrevations have been approved by GEANT
Potential Sources of Funding
- The European Regional Development Fund (both Birr and Armagh are Objective 1 regions; three European telescopes have been partially funded under this programme)
- Funding sources targeted at Information and Communication Science and Technology
- "Cross-border" funding to support co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic
- Corporate and private donors