India's National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), located on the Pune University Campus, is part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. NCRA carries out research in the specialized field of Radio Astronomy and Radio instrumentation. NCRA has set up the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), the world's largest telescope operating at metre wavelengths located at khodad, 80 km from Pune. GMRT consists of 30 fully steerable dishes each having a diameter of 45 metres, spread over a 25 km area. GMRT is a unique instrument which opens up the sky at the meterwave range of the electromagnetic spectrum and using the technique of aperture synthesis allows to make high sensitive maps of the sky. The instrument is at par with other radio telescopes in the world like the VLA and compliments them. The basic areas of research include galactic and extra galactic astronomy, the Inter stellar medium, pulsars and astronomical instrumentation. NCRA is also involved in training students at various levels. NCRA has set up several radio antennas in the campus itself. These contain 3-metre and 4-metre radio antennas as well as the construction of a 15-metre antenna in progress. These are generally used by students who participate in the different summer and winter courses organized by the institute.
Coordinates: 19°06′00″N 74°03′00″E / 19.10000°N 74.05000°E / 19.10000; 74.05000
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