Introduction
The Metsähovi Radio Observatory is a separate research institute of the Helsinki University of Technology since May 1988. It operates a 14 m diameter radio telescope at Metsähovi, Kylmälä, Finland, about 35 km west from the university campus. The institute also has premises in the Electrical Engineering Faculty building, Otakaari 5, Espoo.
In the same area, near Metsähovi Radio Observatory, there are also the buildings of the Metsähovi Observatory (University of Helsinki, optical astronomy) and the Metsähovi Space Geodetic Station (Geodetic Institute, geodesy). Click here to learn about the coordinates of Metsähovi.
The Metsähovi Radio Observatory has been operational since 1974. The upgrading of the telescope was done in 1992-1994. The radome has been replaced with a new one and new surface panels have been installed. The surface accuracy of the present telescope is 0.1 mm (rms).
The Metsähovi Radio Observatory is active in the following fields:
- Research in radio astronomy
- Development of instruments needed in radio astronomy
- Development of methods for radio astronomical measurements
- Space research
- Education
The activities at Metsähovi are concentrated on millimeter and microwaves. The frequencies used are 2-150 GHz, corresponding to the wavelengths in the range of 13.0 cm-2.0 mm. The research in technology includes development of microwave receivers, development of receiving methods, development of data acquisition and data processing and development of antenna technology.
The objects of radio astronomical research are: solar millimeter and microwave radiation, variable quasars, active galaxies, molecular line radiation, and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI).
Since the early 1990's Metsähovi Radio Observatory has been one of the few institutes in the world where VLBI data acquisition systems have been actively constructed and developed further. Our focus has been on maximizing the applicability of Commercially Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) technology for VLBI data acquisition applications. Metsähovi has pioneered in the use of VSI (VLBI Standard Interface), the internationally-agreed interfacing standard for VLBI data acquisition.
Around 20 scientists, engineers, research assistants, and supporting personnel from the Helsinki University of Technology work at the institute. In addition about 10 students perform radio astronomical observations under guidance of Metsähovi permanent staff. Five of the employees are directly paid by Helsinki University of Technology, and the others paid by research projects financed mainly by the Academy of Finland.
Metsähovi participates in the education given at the Helsinki University of Technology by organizing courses and exercises for students. Graduate students can study for a licentiate's or doctor's degree at Metsähovi.