I took a ride on a moving radio telescope
I took a ride on a moving radio telescope
The Parkes Radio Telescope, part of CSIRO, is one of the most famous telescopes in the world: and it’s got a unique way of getting equipment up and down from the central section. ▪ More about the Telescope: https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/atnf/parkes-radio-telescope
Edited by Michelle Martin https://twitter.com/mrsmmartin
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And now, a blatant plug for the podcast I host, Lateral! Episodes with William Osman, Simone Giertz, Devin “Legal Eagle” Stone, and loads more people are over at https://lateralcast.com – and there are highlights at https://youtube.com/lateralcast !
that’s how you go sterile
@Skye 22 – Not according to Wikipedia, that film was shot in Mexico/USA.
@Tlyon16_boi – He came to Melbourne, his earlier rollercoaster video was shot at Luna Park. I just wish he had told his fans (via YouTube) in advance that he was coming, it would have been great for him to have some kind of meet-and-greet event! Although I don’t follow his podcasts, blogs or newsletters or anything, so perhaps he did mention it there.
How are you liking Australia Tom?
i love lateral ive seen all the good highlights now and i listen on my way to and from work! reminds me of jeopardy and its perfect with you and the host of guests :o)
John is a very enthusiastic and informative guide, and you can tell he absolutely loves his job. It’s always so amazing to see such passionate people sharing what they love, and Tom’s sheer indulgence in it is infectious. Another banger!
That guy is a born science communicator, absolutely fantastic
@1:09 Seemed a little sad that not a lot of atronomers visit, like it would get quite lonely. Rather in the past, the place must have been a neat “social” environment. Since replaced with virtual access.
I was going to say similar – I could listen to John for hours!
John is one of the most excited about his job people I have ever met, he’s been working there for as long as I remember and will never turn town an opportunity to tell people about the dish
I love episodes like this where Tom gets to get a little tour from someone who is clearly very passionate about their work.
I swear, Tom, the best thing you and your team does is find passionate experts on fascinating topics and simply let them shine.
The idea that they can use the telescope itself as a giant crane is ingenious.
like treebeard picking up a hobbit
@Dan Geary Mobile crane? I think self-assembling cranes are such a cool design principle
No doubt!
I never thought about having the edge of the scope go down to get the equipment into the dish.
But then, I should have thought of it.
I’ve used the power of a piece of heavy equipment to help assemble and disassemble itself!
As a radio astronomer, I was so happy to see this video! There really is nothing like going up into a dish — I’ve been on the Efflesberg radio telescope. I’ve never observed with Parkes, but I have with another Australian telescope, ATCA (they’re both operated by the same institute). It’s an amazing feeling when you’re observing remotely from the UK, and knowing that you’re responsible for such huge things turning and looking at astronomical objects for you. You might be sick of radio astronomy now, but you have got an invite to Jodrell Bank Observatory in your suggestions submission form! Come say hello next time you’re up this way. 🙂
Would there be a way to shield things like this so that we could build them in space?
Can’t help but feel as though not being constrained by gravity might be a bonus 🙂
Do you still have the old replica control desk? I loved playing with that on a school visit in the late 80s.
What does it take to become a radio astronomer
I get giddy making a LED flash or a gate open from a distance with electronics I’ve made. Making a thousand tonnes dance must be next level
He may be, we on the other hand are not at all tired of radio telescopes.
Didn’t you love the look on Tom’s face when the guide did the feather drop analogy? Not often do we see Tom Speechless!
Immediately intrigued by Tom Scott emerging from his burrow like a science-obsessed badger, and then John held my attention for ten minutes. This is a top-tier Blue Peter segment!
Someone should draw tom scott as a badger!
Did he see his own shadow though? Or are we cursed with another decade of anti science rhetoric? 😉
How the dish at that angle doesn’t rip off from the building is quite interesting
At 7:30 you can see the massive counterweight
Its not just hanging off the side. Theres a massive counterbalance there that keeps the weight mostly evenly balanced on either side. Its the same way most, if not all, dish antennas work. You can see the huge solid metal block at 7:30
@AFGuidesHD it’s not connected, looks to be built the same way that battleship turrets are
@illitero *smacks desk* thank you!
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John is the perfect guide. His enthusiasm and the way he brings science to life in such an accessible way is amazing. Fantastic
The part about the energy in the feather hitting the floor being larger than that collected by all radio telescopes ever was _genuinely_ mind blowing.
“The Dish” is one of my favourite films. It’s awesome to see Tom wandering around Parkes, and to see that they must have filmed a lot of the movie in the actual structure. The telescope is an amazing piece of kit.
Gonna have to watch it now
The line west of Parkes en route to Broken Hill has only this week just reopened after repairs to flood damage last year.
@Pogla The Grate Forbes and Parkes used to be very similar towns 30 km apart but Parkes reopened gold mining in the 1990s and has grown in population and wealth as a result while Forbes is sleepy. Parkes is also a rail junction for east west trains and one day a north south line when it’s completed. Forbes does have some gorgeous architecture however well worth the look. Forbes is also prone to flooding from the Lachlan River as it did in 2022.
A lot of the film was shot in Forbes, as it looks more like a 60s town