Warkworth 30m Radio Telescope facts for kids
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| Part of | Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory  |
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| Location(s) | New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°26′00″S 174°39′46″E / 36.4332°S 174.6629°E |
| Organization | Space Operations New Zealand Ltd |
| Wavelength | C-Band, X-Band |
| Built | 1983-84 |
| First light | 4 July 2015 |
| Telescope style | radio telescope |
| Diameter | 100 ft (30.5 m) |
 Location of Warkworth-2
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The Warkworth 30m Radio Telescope is a giant dish that listens to signals from space. It is located near Warkworth, New Zealand, about 50 kilometers north of Auckland. This special telescope is part of the Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory.
For many years, the Auckland University of Technology used this telescope. Since July 2023, a company called SpaceOps NZ has been operating it. The telescope was first set up in 1984. Its original job was to help with international phone calls and data sent through satellites.
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What is a Radio Telescope?
A radio telescope is like a giant ear that "hears" radio waves from space. Unlike optical telescopes that see light, radio telescopes can detect signals that our eyes cannot. These signals come from stars, galaxies, and other objects far away in the universe. Scientists use them to learn about things like black holes and how the universe began.
How the Warkworth Telescope Works
The Warkworth 30m Radio Telescope is 30 meters (about 100 feet) wide. It is a type of antenna called a Cassegrain wheel-and-track beam waveguide antenna. This means it has a large main dish that collects radio waves. These waves then bounce to a smaller reflector and are sent to special equipment for analysis.
The telescope was built in 1983 by a company called Nippon Electric Corp. in Japan. It was first used by Telecom NZ. Its main purpose was to send and receive communications between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. This helped people talk to each other across long distances.
Listening to Space
Since 2015, the telescope has also been used for radio astronomy. This is the study of objects in space by listening to their radio waves. The Warkworth telescope can pick up signals in different "bands" or frequencies, like C-Band and X-Band. These different frequencies help scientists study various space phenomena.
Gallery
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The telescope and associated buildings
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Closer view of the dish and track/wheel assembly
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Close up of the dish and secondary reflector
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Manufacturers Plate
See also
- Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory
- Warkworth 12m Radio Telescope
- Radio astronomy
- Radio telescope
- List of radio telescopes
