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

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