Australia Telescope Compact Array, Radio interferometer at Paul Wild Observatory, Australia

The Australia Telescope Compact Array is a radio interferometer at Paul Wild Observatory with six dish antennas each measuring 22 meters across. These antennas are arranged along a track and can be repositioned to observe different regions of the sky in detail.

The facility started its scientific work in 1988 and represented a major step forward for astronomy in Australia. The system was built to capture radio waves from space with high precision and detail.

The site's name appears in the 1993 children's television series Sky Trackers, filmed at the observatory with the dishes shown on screen. Open days are held regularly, including events marking the anniversary of the first Moon landing and major anniversaries of the telescope itself.

The array is open to the general public, and the visitor centre lets you watch operations in comfort and shade, with informational displays and audiovisual presentations; the grounds also hold displays and activities. Open days are held regularly, for instance around the anniversary of the first Moon landing or major anniversaries of the telescope. The site lies 25 km west of Narrabri, so allow for the drive.

The facility captured the first image of a radio supernova remnant as it was forming. This groundbreaking observation helped scientists better understand how distant stars explode.