GMRT : Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope
Location : GMRT Khodad
National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28 to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ and to raise awareness about the importance of science and its role in improving the lives of people.
The GMRT, which is the world’s most powerful telescope operating at low radio frequencies, was built and is being operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is located in Maharashtra’s Pune district, near Khodad. This cutting-edge radio telescope facility is one of the largest and most powerful in the world for studying celestial bodies at low radio frequencies. The GMRT is made up of 30 completely steerable parabolic dishes dispersed across a large region, providing for great sensitivity and excellent angular resolution.
The major goal of GMRT is to undertake cutting-edge radio astronomy research on a wide range of astronomical phenomena, including pulsars, galaxies, quasars, and extragalactic sources. The telescope’s unique design and capabilities make it ideal for a wide range of scientific inquiries, greatly contributing to our understanding of the universe.
GMRT Khodad plays an important role in international partnerships and provides essential data for a variety of astronomical research. Its location in Khodad, away from radio interference and electromagnetic pollution, improves its observational capabilities, establishing it as a leading observatory in the field of radio astronomy. The facility remains an invaluable resource for astronomers and experts, providing substantial contributions to the study of the universe.
Structure :
The National Center for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) established the GMRT radio telescope project at Khodad, near Narayangaon, thirty years ago to explore the universe. Scientist Prof. Govind Swaroop has taken the initiative for it. GMRT is one of the world’s biggest radio telescopes due to its unique interferometer properties. In the GMRT project, 30 antennas were placed in the shape of an English Y in a circle roughly 25 kilometers in diameter. Twelve of these antennas are arranged in a Y-shaped core with a radius of one kilometer.
Visiting Hours :
Every Friday, the GMRT Observatory is accessible to the general public. Guests must register in advance with us for one of the two seminars held on any given Friday. Please take note that each class may only hold up to 60 people, therefore we advise enrolling in advance, especially for larger groups. The meetings are
Morning: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (time of reporting: 10 a.m.)
Afternoon: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (time of report: 2:00 PM)
A member of the Observatory team will be happy to answer your questions, give you a tour of the facility, and go over the scientific and engineering details of the GMRT.
In addition, the GMRT Observatory is open to the public throughout the day on the National Science Day and the following day (i.e. February 28 and 29, or February 28 and March 1), every year.
[Mobile Phones Allowed During Science Exhibition]
Important : You will have to switch OFF your mobile phones during your visit since they will interfere with the astronomical observations of the telescope!
Accessibility
Place is easily accessible
Nearby attraction
