Erects Interferometer

IN its drive to join the ranks of nations conducting high-level astronomical research, Nigeria is constructing an extensive network of radio telescopes, called an “interferometer.”

Engineers at the Centre for Basic Space Science (CBSS), Nsukka, are building some of the smaller instruments themselves, using local materials.

Professor F.E. Opara, recently appointed director, noted that his centre’s parent body, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), is now laying heavy emphasis on radio astronomy.

“It is important, for both scientific and strategic reasons,” he averred, in an interview with The Guardian, at NASRDA’s Abuja headquarters, “that we quickly break into the ranks of nations conducting serious research. In fact, we want Nigeria and, indeed, West Africa to be a centre of excellence”.

Unlike optical viewing instruments, radio telescopes do not produce a visual image or “picture”. Instead, Opara explained, they create “a profile of the object, at radio wavelength, which yields various types of data, such as its velocity, chemistry, temperature, orientation and physical properties”.

The problem radio astronomers face though, he said, is that of comparatively poor resolution—the instrument doesn’t distinguish fine detail very well. Radio telescopes thus have large receiving dishes, because the more radiation they take in, the more detail they can resolve.

But not even the widest single receiving dish can match the resolving power of a large optical telescope. So, radio astronomers have had to use a bit of wit and technique. They’ve learned that two separate radio dishes act as a single receiver, whose diameter is the distance between them.

“This principle holds,” Opara explained, “whether the distance separating the telescopes is a few meters or thousands of kilometers—whether the system consists of two telescopes or two hundred. In fact, the more telescopes involved the better”.

Accordingly, CBSS is urging Nigerian universities to incorporate radio astronomy into their research and instructional programmes and, above all else, build a telescope. This would, Opara posited, uplift the institutions academically and, at the same time, provide Nigeria with a powerful interferometer.

NASRDA’s vision is that its interferometer will become the hub of an expansive network of radio telescopes, encompassing not only Nigerian institutions but also universities and space agencies in other African countries, particularly in the western sub-region.

Under the leadership of its former director, Professor P.N. Okeke, CBSS has, over the years, made several attempts to build and operate a radio telescope—most notably in the mid-1980s, when Okeke, working with Charles McGruder, an African American astronomer, had his effort torpedoed financially.

Presently, Opara noted, CBSS has a three-meter radio telescope in operation and one with a six-meter receiving dish in the works. “Our engineers,” he said, “are erecting the small telescopes. But some staff are being trained abroad, for the 25-meter instrument, which the Chinese are building”.

Opara, a former Dean in the Faculty of Science, University of Science and Technology (Port Harcourt), stressed that there would be no fundamental changes in the Centre’s programmes and priorities. “Continuity,” he averred, “is very important. We will continue with the work Professor Okeke started.

bloggernaija: There is nothing special about this.
I am sure our theoretical and professional crammers aka modern nigerian based professor and PHDs know nothing about this.
This is something an ordinary 16 yr old kid with a garage and time to spare away from CALL OF DUTY,does over here as an hobby..
I doubt if there is even any mid-power astronomical telescope In the entire country.
Ordinary non degree holding hobbyist photographer can plot the location of the heavenly bodies at any time of the day and predict events like eclipse .
most graduate of astronomy have even seen one , not to talk of use one.

Sloan: Some people are more than silly the way they talk and think - I don't think they use their brains really. How can anyone, in this world built a device or instrument that had been patented by another company?? What professor hasn't hear about IP rights? All these fraudulent people!

bloggernaija: There is nothing special about this.
I am sure our theoretical and professional crammers aka modern nigerian based professor and PHDs know nothing about this.
This is something an ordinary 16 yr old kid with a garage and time to spare away from CALL OF DUTY,does over here as an hobby..
I doubt if there is even any mid-power astronomical telescope In the entire country.
Ordinary non degree holding hobbyist photographer can plot the location of the heavenly bodies at any time of the day and predict events like eclipse .
most graduate of astronomy have even seen one , not to talk of use one.

bloggernaija: There is nothing special about this.
I am sure our theoretical and professional crammers aka modern nigerian based professor and PHDs know nothing about this.
This is something an ordinary 16 yr old kid with a garage and time to spare away from CALL OF DUTY,does over here as an hobby..
I doubt if there is even any mid-power astronomical telescope In the entire country.
Ordinary non degree holding hobbyist photographer can plot the location of the heavenly bodies at any time of the day and predict events like eclipse .
most graduate of astronomy have even seen one , not to talk of use one.