Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : May 27, 2022, 14:10

The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) authority of India has recently set up a unique facility for astronomical and radio research by using the range of meter wavelengths of the radio spectrum. The Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] Observatory is a collection of thirty completely steerable and parabolic radio telescopes.

Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] Latest Updates

Given below are the latest updates and developments by the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]:

  • In February 2020, the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] helped find the evidence of the Ophiuchus Supercluster explosion- one of the enormous explosions in the universe's history.
  • On 27th November 2020, the GMRT received the status of IEEE Milestone. This award is given for a significant achievement in the technical area and unique services. The GMRT is the third scientific achievement of India that received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) milestone.
  • In August 2018, Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] discovered the most distant galaxy, present at a distance of 12 billion light-years.

Location of the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]

Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT], is located at an approximate distance of 80 km to the north of Pune. It comprises 30 large parabolic dishes that spread over 25 km. Each dish is 45 m in diameter. It is one of the most important and most challenging experimental programs in science undertaken by Indian engineers and scientists.

Design Concept of the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]

GMRT is an indigenous project that involves the construction and management of large dishes. The cost-effective construction is made possible by implementing a design concept named- the SMART concept(Stretch Mesh Attached to Rope Trusses).

☛ Also Read: Current Affairs 2022 PDF

Specifications of Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] Antenna

The massive size of the dishes included in the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] can cover up to three times more area than the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico. At the frequency of 327 MHz, the GMRT can sense radiations that are eight times more sensitive than VLA.

Important UPSC Topics
IAS ExamUPSC Exam
UPSC Exam PatternIAS Age Limit
UPSC BooksUPSC Syllabus in Hindi
UPSC Admit CardUPSC Prelims
IAS SyllabusUPSC Question Paper
UPSC Cut OffUPSC Mains

Specifications of the Electronics in Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]

  • The GMRT Antenna works with six different frequencies that range from 50 MHz and 1500 MHz. The frequencies have good polarisation and multiband operations.
  • GMRT also includes low-noise amplifiers, Mixers, local oscillator synthesizers, and IF amplifiers.
  • Optical fibres and interlinking with the whole dish array are present. This interlinking helps transmit telemetry signals and local oscillator communications.
  • GMRT includes a 2,30,000-channel FX-type correlator. This correlator provides the facility of spectral channels.

The Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope is a powerful telescope built to observe the radio frequencies near the solar system. The Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] Antenna works with six different frequencies and comes with a 2,30,000-channel FX correlator.

More Current Affairs Topics
Great Nicobar Biosphere ReserveGreat East Asiatic Conference
Great Barrier ReefGravitational Waves
Goods and Services Tax CouncilGood Governance
Gonds Tribe of IndiaGolden Triangle
Golden RevolutionGolden Crescent

FAQs on Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]

Q1. What is the purpose of installing the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT]?

The Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] investigates and observes the radio frequencies near the solar system.

Q2. What are the details of the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] antenna?

The Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] Antenna works with six different frequencies that range from 50 MHz and 1500 MHz.

Q3. What is the function of the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] correlator?

The correlator of the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] provides the facility of spectral channels.

Q4. Where is the Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] installed in India?

Giant Metrewave Radiowave Telescope [GMRT] is located at Junnar, Narayangaon, at an approximate distance of 80 km to the north of Pune.