Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, Radio telescope complex in Hooghalen, Netherlands
The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope is a radio telescope facility in the Dutch municipality of Hooghalen with fourteen dishes each measuring 25 meters across. These are arranged in a straight line spread across roughly 2.7 kilometers, with ten permanently fixed in place and four movable on rails.
The facility was completed in 1970 on land that formerly served another purpose during World War II. This transformation from a wartime location to a scientific research center marks an important shift in the site's history.
The facility is named after the nearby village and was built on grounds that carry deep historical weight for many people. Visitors can sense the contrast between scientific progress and remembrance as they walk across the site.
Visitors can view the facility from outside but must maintain distance to avoid disturbing the sensitive scientific work happening there. A nearby memorial center offers information and a quiet space to learn about the site's history.
The movable dishes can shift their positions to create different observation patterns, offering greater flexibility than a completely rigid arrangement. This ability allows scientists to study different sky regions with varying levels of detail and resolution.
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