Warkworth 12m Radio Telescope

The Warkworth 12m Radio Telescope is an observation facility in New Zealand that receives radio signals from space. The main dish measures about 12 meters across and is equipped with precision equipment designed for scientific measurement and data collection.

The facility opened in 2008 and was New Zealand's first professional installation for radio astronomy research. Since then it has played an important role in tracking celestial objects and contributing to international measurement projects.

The facility is operated by researchers from Auckland University of Technology who conduct observations from nearby control rooms. It represents how modern science brings together people working toward shared goals of understanding the cosmos.

The site is located about 50 kilometers north of Auckland and can be viewed from nearby roads. Visitors should know that access to control areas is limited and tours need to be arranged in advance with the facility.

The telescope is part of a worldwide network that shares data at extremely high speeds to determine the precise locations of celestial objects. This international collaboration enables measurements that would be impossible with a single instrument alone.