Indonesia is bolstering its national astronomy research capabilities with the continued development of the Timau National Observatory in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.
The space research facility is now at a critical stage, with a 3.8-meter optical telescope slated to begin operations this year.
Robertus Heru Triharjanto, Head of the Organization for Aviation and Space Research at BRIN, stated that the construction of the observatory is a strategic move to enhance Indonesia’s astronomical research capacity.
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“BRIN has a mandate to conduct various research activities, including in the fields of science and space. One of the efforts being made is to build the National Observatory in Timau, Amfoang, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara,” he said.
In addition to preparing for the operation of the optical telescope, BRIN is also developing specific regulations to protect the observatory area from light pollution and radio interference, ensuring optimal conditions for astronomical research. Beyond the optical telescope, BRIN is also developing a radio telescope at the Timau National Observatory.
Peberlin Sitompul, a researcher at BRIN’s Center for Space Research, explained that the radio telescope is designed to support multi-wavelength astronomy as well as monitor space debris.
“The Timau National Observatory is being built to support the development of multi-wavelength astronomy, as well as the monitoring of space debris using observations at optical and radio wavelengths,” Peberlin clarified.
The radio telescope system utilizes a log-periodic antenna array with a frequency range of 40 to 870 MHz. This system is connected to a CALLISTO spectrometer and software-defined radio (SDR)-based receiver to record radio wave spectra.
Through this technology, researchers can monitor solar activity via radio waves, including solar radio burst phenomena.
Initial testing has shown the developed radio telescope system successfully detected solar radio activity, indicating the observation system is functioning correctly.
The research team also conducted radio frequency interference (RFI) measurements to determine the level of radio signal interference around the observatory location.
Testing results indicated that most frequencies in the Timau area are relatively free from man-made signal interference, making it highly suitable for radio telescope development.
Future development of the radio telescope at the observatory is planned to utilize a parabolic antenna with a diameter of approximately 20 meters, capable of operating at frequencies of 1 to 50 GHz.
The discussion also featured a scientist from the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), Randall Wayth, who presented developments in low-frequency radio telescopes for space weather research.
He shared experiences from the Murchison Widefield Array project in various research areas, including monitoring solar radio emissions, detecting coronal mass ejections using Interplanetary Scintillation (IPS) techniques, pulsar studies, and time-domain astronomy.
Meanwhile, a researcher from the Bandung Institute of Technology, Taufiq Hidayat, presented developments in radio telescopes and the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Global Observing System (VGOS) in Indonesia.
VLBI technology allows for the combination of signals from radio telescopes located at distant locations, resulting in highly precise astronomical measurements.
Emanuel Sungging Mumpuni, Head of the Center for Space Research at BRIN, expressed hope that these latest developments will strengthen collaborative astronomy research in Indonesia.
“We hope this meeting will not only take place today, but can continue with further discussions to formulate various suggestions and recommendations. Through the development of a radio telescope at the Timau National Observatory, Indonesia is expected to increase its capacity for astronomical research as well as contribute to the monitoring of the space environment at the global level,” he concluded.
(agt/agt)
