Miscellaneous Related Stuff

The above two images show the working side of the dish. The right hand one is a small section near the left hand "leg". The black marks are positioning patterns (each about 60mm square) used to determine the shape of the dish using a specially modified calibrated camera. This is to allow monitoring the performance of the prototype under varying conditions. It does get quite hot in the ultimate location in Western Australia.

And because it does get very hot and very cold in the desert, the electronics in the support column need to have temperature control. Details are available on the information board from CSIRO. But basically the structure in this image is an intake air feed to the support column. From there, air is pumped through 4 buried PVC tubes used to exchange heat with the earth - hot air being cooled, and cold air being warmed by the relatively stable temperature below ground.

Main Dish Receiver Cabin

The left image above shows the new receiver cabin, installed in 1995. This is located at the focus of the parabola which the dish forms, and is thus where there is maximum radio signal strength. The right hand image shows the old cabin which it replaced.

Significance

There are several of these stone columns featuring plaques concerning the telescope. This one is from NASA; the other from the Institute Of Engineers.

From NASA	From Institute Of Engineers

Ah, if only Armstrong and Aldrin could have used this in 1969! Much easier than lunar perambulation by foot. This "astronaut" was having quite a bit of fun, quietly sneaking up on visitors. As he passed, I asked if he was hot. A strong nodding of the head followed.