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Telescope
RATAN-600 is a radio telescope with a variable-profile circular antenna of 600 m in diameter, the largest operating telescope in Russia, which performs mass measurements of galactic and extragalactic radio sources at frequencies of 1.2, 2.3, 4.7, 8.2, 11.2, and 22.3 GHz. The main advantages of the instrument are high brightness-temperature sensitivity and multifrequency observations.
RATAN-600 is a open access instrument with the status of a "unique scientific facility" (USF) and is registered on the Russian Federation scientific and technological infrastructure portal. Observations with the telescope are realized on a competitive basis. Observing time applications are collected twice a year, scientific expertise of the proposals is made by the Russian Telescopes Time Allocation Committee (RTTAC).
Telescope parameters
|
Sectors |
North Sector; South Sector; South Sector with the Flat Reflector; West Sector |
|
Secondary mirrors |
4 |
|
Diameter of the ring |
576 м |
|
Number of antenna elements |
895 |
|
Element size |
11.4 x 2 м |
|
Geometric area |
22000 m2 |
|
Frequencies |
1.25, 2.25, 4.7, 8.2, 11.2, 14.4 and 22.3 GHz |
|
Angular resolution at average elevations |
40 arcsec |
|
Spectral flux density sensitivity |
8 mJy at 4.7 GHz |
|
Brightness temperature limit |
0.050 mК |
|
Declination range |
-35⁰ ÷ +90⁰ |
|
Radiometers |
~100 channels |
|
Digitizing rate |
up to 60 microsec |
|
Tracking time (South+Flat) |
up to 4 hours |
|
Beam pattern |
knife-edge |
|
Secondary mirror speed |
20 m / 2 min |
|
North Sector effective area |
700 – 1500 m^2 |
|
Operating temperature range |
-22⁰ ÷ +36⁰ С |
Handbook of RATAN-600 Continuum observer