Radio Astronomers Seek Silence in an Australian Shire #SpaceSaturday

The most sensitive radio telescopes on earth need as little interaction unwanted radio frequency interference as possible. These telescopes are placed in locations with as little human activity as possible, like a part of Australia charmingly called the Murchison Shire. Unlike Bilbo’s home, it’s the size of a small country — but has a population of only 100 people. Here’s more from Phys.Org:

The Shire covers an area of 49,500km²—roughly the size of the Netherlands in Europe.

With the help of the Commonwealth and Western Australia governments, significant regulatory protection has been established to protect the site.

For example, the Australian Radio Quiet Zone Western Australia (ARQZWA), established by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, created a fixed zone around the MRO site to protect the telescopes from interference. Other groups intending to use transmitting equipment must seek permission first and follow any guidelines given.

Learn more!

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