Jicamarca Radio Observatory, Radio telescope facility in Lima Department, Peru.
The Jicamarca Radio Observatory is a research facility consisting of tens of thousands of individual antenna rods arranged across a large desert expanse east of Lima. These rods are connected together to function as a single massive instrument with tremendous range, capable of detecting signals from far above Earth's atmosphere.
The facility was developed and built in the early 1960s by an American institution to study the ionosphere. It has since been operated by Peruvian researchers and evolved into an important center for studying the atmosphere above the equator.
The facility serves as a hub for ionospheric research operated by Peruvian scientists, enabling international collaboration in studying phenomena in Earth's upper atmosphere. It represents Peru's commitment to participating in global scientific advancement.
The site lies roughly half an hour by car east of Lima, reachable via the Central Highway. Visitors should account for its remote location and exposed, flat terrain that becomes quite hot under direct sun.
The facility operates both as a transmitter and receiver, using tremendous energy to capture echo signals from extreme altitudes. This dual function enables investigations that would not be possible with conventional observatories.
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