Piwnice radio observatory

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Piwnice radio observatory is located at Piwnice, 15 km north of Toruń, Poland ( 53°5′42.9″N, 18°33′45.9″E). Since 1981 the observatory has been a part of world wide network of radio telescopes participating in VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry). With the new 32 m telescope (620-ton construction designed by Zygmunt Bujakowski) and modern sophisticated instrumentation.

Toruń VLBI station is the unique place in eastern Europe. International collaboration and involvement in various European research projects is the major activity of this department. The research concentrates on observations and theoretical interpretation of physical processes in compact active regions of radio galaxies and quasars, the timing of pulsars, the search for new planetary systems and Solar System studies. In addition, the development of instrumentation for radio astronomy (ultra low noise receivers, spectrometers, frequency converters, digital electronics, control systems) is also significant part of activities in the observatory. Since 1997 the Department of Radio Astronomy has been a part of Toruń Centre for Astronomy at Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. From 1998 the department has undertaken the additional function of the National Facility with the major aims to serve Polish astronomers and to emphasize the international cooperation.

[edit] External links

• Observatory website