Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of astronomical telescope: A radio reflector is an instrument designed to collect and focus electromagnetic radiation in the radio-frequency range that originates from celestial objects outside Earth's atmosphere.

Usage

• The primary function of a is to detect and study radio waves from space, such as those emitted by stars, galaxies, and nebulae.
• It typically consists of a large parabolic dish that reflects incoming radio waves to a receiver at its focal point.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The observatory's giant radio reflector has discovered many distant pulsars.
  • Scientists used a radio reflector to map the hydrogen gas in our galaxy.

Advanced Usage

• "to point a radio reflector": To aim the dish of the telescope at a specific region of the sky.
  • They pointed the radio reflector toward the center of the Milky Way.

Variants and Related Words

• Radio telescope (n): A more general term for any telescope used to observe radio waves from space. A is a common type of radio telescope.
• Dish antenna (n): A descriptive term for the parabolic reflector component of such a telescope.

Synonyms

• Radio telescope: Astronomical instrument for radio wave observation.
• Radio antenna (astronomical): A receiver for cosmic radio signals.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Radio astronomy (n): The branch of astronomy that uses radio reflectors and similar instruments to study the universe.
• Parabolic reflector (n): The specific dish shape that focuses the incoming radio waves.

Noun

1. astronomical telescope that picks up electromagnetic radiations in the radio-frequency range from extraterrestrial sources