Radio telescopes can be recycled from satellite dishes

Through the steps of New Zealand astronomers, owning a radio telescope is easier than ever.

Radio telescopes are devices used to capture radio signals from the sky. Common satellite dishes are also used to capture radio signals, but are modulated signals. However, there are ways to turn your old satellite dish into a radio telescope through the New Zealand Astronomical Manual.

In 2010, Telecom New Zealand stopped operating one of its satellite antennas. This antenna was built in the 1980s. Prior to termination, the mission of this antenna is to transmit voice calls, transmit internet traffic or transmit TV broadcasts. However, gradually incoming calls, internet or TV are lasered and enters underground fiber optic lines. Thus, this 30-meter diameter antenna was donated to astronomers from the Aukland University of Technology.

The first step, people clean up this old pan. The rust, bite stain on the surface of the pan after years of use is cleaned. Later, they changed the navigation mechanism of the pan, making it possible to opt out in 270 degrees to serve the sky rather than 170 degrees as before. People also change the coating on the surface of the pan to adapt to new jobs: to capture signals from the universe.

"With a surface diameter of up to 30 meters, the new antenna significantly increases New Zealand's radio astronomy capabilities," the scientists said . In the world, Japan and Australia are also recycling recyclable radios into radio telescopes.