radio telescope
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * An astronomical instrument designed to detect and collect electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range emitted by celestial objects and phenomena in space. Unlike optical telescopes, it uses a large dish or array of antennas to gather these faint signals.
Usage
- The primary function of a radio telescope is to observe the universe at radio wavelengths, allowing astronomers to study objects like pulsars, quasars, and cosmic microwave background radiation.
- It is often part of a larger observatory or array. The collected data is processed by computers to create images and charts.
Examples
- Scientists used the radio telescope to map the distribution of hydrogen gas in a distant galaxy.
- The Very Large Array in New Mexico is a famous system of 27 radio telescopes.
- Building a radio telescope requires a location with minimal human-made radio interference.
Advanced Usage
- Radio telescope array: A group of multiple radio telescopes linked together to function as a single, more powerful instrument with higher resolution. This technique is called interferometry.
- The Event Horizon Telescope project is a global network of radio telescope arrays.
Variants and Related Words
- Radio astronomy (n): The branch of astronomy that uses radio telescopes to study the universe.
- Radio interferometer (n): A specific type of radio telescope array used for interferometry.
- Dish (n, informal): A common term for the parabolic reflector of a radio telescope.
Synonyms
- Radio antenna (astronomical)
- Radio receiver (astronomical)
Related Phrases
- To point a radio telescope at: To direct the telescope's receiver towards a specific region of the sky.
- They pointed the radio telescope at the center of the Milky Way.
Noun
- astronomical telescope that picks up electromagnetic radiations in the radio-frequency range from extraterrestrial sources