Istituto
Nazionale di AstroFisica
ISTITUTO DI RADIOASTRONOMIA
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF
RADIOASTRONOMY
The Istituto di Radioastronomia (IRA) was created in 1970 by the
National Research Council (CNR) from a pre-existing group of scientists,
engineers and technicians who designed and built the Northern Cross
radio telescope under the guidance of Prof. Marcello Ceccarelli, the
father of radioastronomy in Italy. In January 2005 the IRA
became part of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (
INAF
)
RESEARCH
AT IRA
The IRA is the Institute where radioastronomy research is carried out
in Italy. The major focus of reasearch is mainly extragalactic
astrophysics, from the astrophysics of radiogalaxies and quasars to
clusters of galaxies. However, a considerable effort is also devoted to
galactic astrophysics, from star-formations to stellar astrophysics. A
third research area is constituted by Earth physics, mainly geodetic
research. The Institute develops state-of-the-art electronics,
technology systems, and software for the realization of radio
telescopes and related facilities. The Institute operates a computer
center, which is specialized in imaging techniques and serves as a
reference center for the software service of the CNR Area
. The role played by the IRA is
recognized at International levels and the Institute is the main
interlocutor for radioastronomy research in Italy.
*More about research programs at the IRA.
STAFF
The IRA has a staff of about 100 people including astronomers,
electronic engineers-physicists, software specialists, technical and
administrative personnel. In addition, scientists from the Astronomy
and Physics Departments of the University of Bologna are affiliated
with the Institute. Headquarters are located in Bologna. Other
divisions of the Institute are located in Medicina
(near Bologna) and Noto.
* More about staff .
RADIO
TELESCOPES
The IRA operates three radio telescope facilities for use by the
scientific community: the "Northern Cross Radiotelescope", located in
Medicina, and two 32-m single dish antennas located in Medicina and
Noto (Sicily). The antennas are part of the VLBI (Very Long Baseline
Interferometry) global network for about 150 days a year. On September
30, 2013, a new radiotelescope, the Sardinia Radio Telescope, or
SRT,
formed by a 64-m antenna located
near Cagliari, has been officially dedicated. SRT is a 64-m fully
steerable parabolic antenna capable of high efficiency operation at
frequencies between 0.3 - 100 GHz. Once fully operative, SRT will be a
remarkable node of the European VLBI Network (EVN) but it will be also
a powerful instrument when used on its own as a single-dish radio
telescope. The IRA is part of European Institutes such as JIVE Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (
Rationale
for the IRA-INAF contribution to
JIVE), and participates in Consortia such as the European VLBI Network (
EVN
) and the International VLBI Service
for Geodesy and Astronomy ( IVS
). The IRA is involved in future
astronomical projects like ALMA
, e-VLBI
, SKA
, LOFAR
, and is a main partner in the
European Framework Programs funded by the European Union in projects
like RadioNet
and NEXPReS
. Also on behalf of INAF the IRA
hosts an Alma Regional Center ( ARC
).
*More about telescopes .
ARC-ALMA
REGIONAL CENTER
The IRA is a strong supporter of the ALMA project within ESO and has
agreed to host the Italian node, at the request of and financed by
INAF. The ARC (Alma Regional Center) will provide face-to-face support
on scientific and technical matters to users of the Italian and
international community. In particular, its tasks are to help ALMA
users with calibration and advanced data reduction, and to develop
algorithms and specific procedures. The ARC will also stimulate use of
ALMA among the Italian community, through the organization of schools
and workshops, and by helping to define nation-wide scientific projects
of common interest.
* More about ARC-ALMA .
DATA
ELABORATION CENTER (CED)
On behalf of INAF a new accounting Data Elaboration Center (CED) has
become operational since 2005 at IRA Bologna. The CED provides
administrative, book keeping and technical support for the entire INAF.
* More about CED .
EDUCATION
University Interactions - There are numerous and strong interactions
between the IRA and its divisions with the local Universities. This is
particularly true in Bologna but also in any division where there is a
group of scientists like in Catania. At present, IRA
personnel and collaborators teach several University courses. Also
Italian Laurea Theses are assigned as well as PhD theses. The web page
of the Department of Astronomy of the University of Bologna can be
found at this link: http://www.astronomia.unibo.it/Astronomia/default.htm
.
SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES - The IRA is
also involved in the organization of workshops, schools and
conferences. In Bologna on average 1 or 2 meetings a year are
organized. For more details please look at Piano Triennale
link under Activities.
* More about Outreach .
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
RESEARCH SUPPORT
ACTIVITIES
STAFF ONLY