The Dish

I had the pleasure and privilege of touring the Parkes Radio Astronomy Telescope last weekend with a group of my fellow members of Macarthur Astronomical Society.

Constructed in 1961, it is still one of the leading world-class radio telescopes, due to regular improvements in sensitivity.

The sixty-four metre diameter dish was made famous in a movie called “The Dish”.

It was my second visit – and there have been a few changes since my first visit in 1972.

These are some images of a very memorable experience for all of us who made the round trip of 720 kilometres to see it.

Many thanks to John Sarkissian OAM for his kind hospitality.

MAS members initial briefing in the CSIRO office building reception from John Sarkissian (CSIRO).

The Dish from directly below. It was a stunning sight to view this famous telescope so close up.

Second group of MAS members on the gallery of the Parkes Radio Telescope. Image by John Sarkissian OAM using a members camera.

A vacancy for experienced radio astronomers is advertised on the CSIRO noticeboard.

CSIRO scientists George Hobbs and John Sarkissian explaining the commissioning of the new camera.

First group of MAS members on the gallery of the Parkes Radio Telescope. Image by John Sarkissian using my camera.

The smaller companion dish and open farmland to the East of the telescope.

When we visited the engineers were commissioning a new camera and trying to trace a glitch. George Hobbs (CSIRO Scientist) gave us an interesting overview.

A view looking South across the open land from the gallery of the dish.

Another view of The Dish, showing the sundial and on the right the original camera cabin enclosure which sat at the focal point above the dish.

Electronic control panels inside the dish structure.

Books by our Patron Prof Bryan Gaensler (University of Toronto) and regular speaker Prof Fred Watson (AAO) are among a fine selection on sale at the amazing Parkes Radio Telescope!

 

The above images were taken on 19th May 2018.

Two days before the tour was scheduled Joan and I went up to The Dish after closing time to try and get some shots as the Sun sank in the West:

On approach from Parkes, the Dish is easily visible in the distance, peeking above the trees.

The Dish lies well beyond the Visitors Centre.

Sunset at The Dish. Image by Joan Powell

Joan admires the sunset sunset at The Dish.

A model of Planet Earth is one of several interesting objects in the well-kept garden outside the Visitor’s Centre.

Turning away from the Dish in the car park we were treated to the Sun setting through the trees.

 

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Images © R.Powell

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