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Development and Management of Radio Telescopes in Australia: Insights from Tasso Tzioumis

This report by Tasso Tzioumis from CSIRO explores the advancements and management strategies for radio telescopes in Australia, particularly focusing on the Australian Telescope National Facility (ATNF). It highlights the construction of new antennas, the role of radio-sensitive zones, and the regulations established to protect radio astronomy. Key projects like ASKAP and the AuScope VLBI Project are discussed, emphasizing ongoing collaborative efforts to ensure minimal interference from external sources. The report reflects on the importance of regulatory frameworks for sustaining astronomical research.

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Development and Management of Radio Telescopes in Australia: Insights from Tasso Tzioumis

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  1. Australian Report --The view from down under Tasso Tzioumis (Tasso.Tzioumis@csiro.au) Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science RAFCAP2010 – Mitaka 5 June 2010

  2. Radio Telescopes

  3. LBA Radio Telescopes in Australia x Katherine x ASKAP x Yarragadee x New Norcia x CSIRO.

  4. New Radio Telescopes - Auscope • AuScope VLBI Project • http://www-ra.phys.utas.edu.au/auscope/ • 3 new antennas • Geodetic/astrometric VLBI observations – IVS • Advanced construction

  5. New Radio Telescopes – ASKAP & NZ • NZ Warkworth antenna • 12m antenna; Alt-Az mount • Similar to AuScope • Very fast: 4 degs/second • Interim VLBI system at 1400 MHz • First ASKAP antenna (from planned 36) • 12m antenna; Alt-Az mount • 3rd axis motion for polarisation • Very fast: 4 degs/second • Interim VLBI system at 1400 MHz

  6. Latest image for LBA + NZ + 1st ASKAP antennaCentaurus A

  7. Spectrum Issues

  8. “Radio sensitive zones” in Australia • Radio Act review 2002 – “radio sensitive zones” • Notification and coordination - no protection • Regulatory RALI (2006) covers all Oz RA sites (MS31) • Studies by ACMA (administration)

  9. Notification Zone Parameters • Limits derived from RA.769 (+ ~10-15 dB) & VLBI • Propagation models from P.526 (Diffraction) and terrain models.

  10. Management of Radio Notification Zones • Email contact: atnf-spectrum@csiro.au • Group email for RFI and Spectrum issues • RALI MS31 – response within 1-week • Includes all existing radio telescopes in Australia • ~ average 1 notification /month • Work Collaboratively with Tx proponents • Works very well in practice • Latest example • Network by Transgrid (power distribution company) • Fixed links at ~6.5 GHz • Proposed 6660 MHz link at 35 km to Parkes • Could affect Methanol observations at 6.7 GHz • Moved channel allocation to not impact methanol • Informal emails & phone calls

  11. Murchison Radio Observatory

  12. Murchison Radio Observatory gazetted towns: 0 population: “up to 160”

  13. MRO (SKA) site protection • Multi-layered protection • Ownership and control of central area (Boolardy) • EMI controls • Mineral resource management area – state govt • Radio Quiet Zone • Embargo 41 (since 2005) • RALI MS32 (since 2007) (available from ACMA website) • Preserve, maintain and enhance radio-quieteness • Pathfinders now (ASKAP, MWA,…) • SKA in future

  14. Embargo 41 • In force since 2005 • No new assignments in the range 100‑230 MHz within 150 km radius of the centre point of the RQZ. • No new assignments in the range 230 MHz‑25.25 GHz within 100 km radius of the centre point. • Applies to all apparatus licensed, coordinated terrestrial stations and earth stations within the specified zone. (Grand-fathering allowed…) • Exceptions require a case-by-case consideration and approval of the Manager, Spectrum Planning and Engineering Section of the ACMA.

  15. SKA RQZ in Australia • Studies & definition by ACMA & CSIRO • RALI MS32 - in force since 24/9/2007

  16. RALI MS 32 distances >230 MHz restricted 100-230 MHz restricted 100-230 MHz coordination

  17. Oz RQZ procedures • From RALI MS32

  18. Radiocommunications Act (1992) • Governs all telecommunications in Australia • Radio astronomy already recognised • Section 21 Astronomical and meteorological observations • This Act applies to a radio emission in connection with making astronomical or meteorological observations in the same way as it applies to a radiocommunication. • Wide scope for making regulations • Section 314 Regulations • …… • (2) ….. the regulations may make provision in relation to: • (a) prohibiting or regulating any act or thing likely to cause interference, or risk of interference, to radiocommunications; or • (b) prohibiting or regulating making of radio emissions from a place within a specified area; or …..

  19. Next steps • Maintain and strengthen RQZ • EMI • Radiocommunications • Use Radcommunications Act (1992) to: • Enact new regulations as needed • Strengthen/streamline current provisions • New legislative instruments ? • Political support • ACMA critical to success • Work with the regulator not against it!!

  20. Contact Us Phone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176 Email: enquiries@csiro.au Web: www.csiro.au Thank you!Questions? Tasso Tzioumis Tasso.tzioumis@csiro.au

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