How Radio Telescopes Work: A deep dive into the technology and mechanics

The 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope array was built between 2014 and 2018 through South African government funding some 90km from the nearest town.

Radio telescopes capture invisible radio waves from cosmic sources, converting them into data that reveal unique insights about the universe. They rely on large antennas to collect signals, which are then focused onto receivers and processed into images or graphs of distant phenomena. Unlike optical telescopes, radio telescopes can operate through clouds and even during the day.

Capture radio waves from space objects, invisible to optical telescopes.
Use large parabolic dishes to focus these waves onto sensitive receivers.
Convert waves into electrical signals to create data images of cosmic sources.
Can function 24/7, unaffected by weather or daylight.

SARAO’s Role

SARAO, leading South Africa’s radio astronomy efforts, manages the MeerKAT telescope, part of the global SKA project, advancing research and fostering innovation in radio astronomy. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, is responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in South Africa, including the MeerKAT Radio Telescope in the Karoo, the Geodesy and VLBI activities at the Hartebeesthoek site.