Radio Astronomy Techniques for Sustainable Development and Science

N. Gizani1, G.P. Veldes2, A. Polatidis1& I. Prokopiou2 1. Hellenic Open University 2. HERON LAB, Dpt of Physics, University of Thessaly THERMOpYlae Thermopylae EVN, VLBI eVLBI IVTW 21 – 25/10/2025 Warkworth Sister antena Hellenic Antenna –THERMOpYlae THERMOpYlae the only RT in Balkans, Turkey  Scientific and technological training, exchange of humanpower Socieconomic Collaborations with countrie’s neighbours Collaborations w EVN, VLBI Networks THERMOpYlae IVTW 21 –25/10/2025 The Hellenic Radio Telescope project MoU HOU –Un. Of Thessaly w OTE –Hellenic Telecomm Company (2018)  •Antenna worth 10Μ euros, •Security of Instrument, •Electricity and maintenance Expenses N. Gizani, SET –HOU We investigate the contribution of THERMOpYlae to VLBI arrays using the EVN as an example. 1) Uv-plane coverage plots with and without TH32M. EVN telescopes used : Effelsberg, Westerbork, Jodrell, Onsala, Yebes, Medicina, Noto, Sardinia, Torun, Irbene, Hart RAO, Urumqi, Kunming, Tianma. + TH32M Users can experiment with ThermopYlae at the EVN Observations Planner (at 5GHz & 8 GHz). 2) Simulated and imaged uv-datasets of sources at various declinations will be published next, using a complex double structure as a starting model. W H y the H E LL E N I C A N T E N N A Τhe Scientific Importance IVTW 21 – 25/10/2025 6 uv-coverage at Dec: 60, 45, 30 & 15 deg (THERMOpYlae is depicted with a blue line ) 7 uv-coverage at Dec: 5, 0, -15 & -30 deg •Expanded baseline range: 711 km –7945 km 5th shortest at 711km (similar to Ef-Jb), a range of ~8000km baselines •+2–3 h additional simultaneous visibility with East Asian stations → up to ∼50% increase in common visibility window •+65% improvement in East–West coverage (to Noto, Sardinia, Yebes, Tianma, Urumqi) •Additional North–South baselines similar longitude to Irbene, HartRAO → improves calibration & imaging •Critical for low-declination sources & Galactic Centre ThermopYlae’s impact on EVN Improved imaging of extended structures More robust high-resolution imaging W H y the H E LL E N I C A N T E N N A Τhe Scientific Importance IVTW 21 – 25/10/2025 Antenna: by NEC, MARK IV-B model •Cassegrain, beam-waveguide Elevation-over-Azimouth wheel-andtrack mount, primary mirror: ~32 m Subreflector: ~ 2.9 m C-band (T/R) Transmission band ~6 GHz Reception band ~4 GHz Dual circularly polarized signals drive system: Electric-servo, dual train for antibacklash azimuth range: − 170oto +170o elevation range: 0oto 90o Description IVTW 21 –25/10/2025 16 17 June 2019 in Greece  Report technical recommendations preparing commissioning Pablo de Vicente “In conclusion we think that Thermopylae antenna is in an excellent position to become a radio telescope soon, if funding is secured. We are very optimistic from the assessment of what we have seen, and we have offered further assistance in any possible way.” Leonid Gurvits 18 Done so far Initial Feasibility Report (2019) Jumping Jive Report Conversion know –how obtained @ WRAO, AUT NZ from Warkworth sister antenna (2019) Memorandum of Understanding has been signed btw Heron Lab and the Institute of Radio Astronomy of the Univ. of Auckland for ΤΗΕRMOpYlae (2020) Some preliminary RFI measurements with an omnidirectional antenna –Up to 15 GHz, no other RFI except from mobile phone emission –reception band (2021) Using existing C-band feed system with the spectrum analyzer seen flux increase/decrease in an ON/OFF observing of the SUN System and components in excellent condition (2019) Quotation for performing photogrammetry (2020) (-58.72 dBm In Operation -Stand-alone single dish observations C –band , X –band in Total Intensity & Polarization, continuum + spectral line mode -Linked in the Very Long Baseline Interferometry -Available for pulsar monitoring -Available for spectral line maser surveys and monitoring -SETI searches –commensal and dedicated -Breakthrough Listen Project -backend sponsorship Other Functionalities -Deep space telecommunications - G. Veldes Dept of Physics Univ. of Thessaly G.P. Veldes and I. Prokopiou HERON LAB, Department of Physics, University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece Deep Space Communications Image from S.M. Asmar, "Radio Science Techniques for Deep Space Exploration", Wiley and Sons Inc. NY (2022) •THERMOpYlae will be a unique gate for Deep Space Communications participating actively in ESA projects/collaborations (eg. Artemis –NASA for a sustainable presence in deep space). Greece holds a geostrategic position. Δίκτυο DSN Image from NASA, The Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex near Madrid, Spain PI L O T Pr o je c t T H E R M O p Yl a e S –band, 2m dish to monitor the solar 10.7cm radio flux probe Climate change IVTW 21 – 25/10/2025 23 Let’s talk about sustainability Why THERMOpYlae is an emblematic project and can be classified a National Infrustructure •It is the only sustainable project in Europe if not world-wide in which the initial conditions of conversion are the best possible •2M euro in 2020 was enough for the complete conversion and functionality of the RT (single dish and VLBI modes) •Why? Remember:: The country is Greece •We start from RECYCLING a redundant telecom antenna of an excellent maintenance state even today, which is converted to RT this by default and definition,is the essence of sustainability for the country/world/planet •I.e. no need to spend huge amounts of money on purchasing a RT (≥ 30m diameter or a number of smaller ones), using valuable farmland, pay for, works, security/maintenance, etc. that would be required for a new instrument. Why THERMOpYlae is an emblematic project and can be classified a National Infrustructure •And yet Greece and its citizens would enjoy all the well known national and international benefits from having a state of the art Radio telescope and the science of radio astronomy (eg. socio-economic development, international collaborations, Start – ups, Big data technology, source of (Astro)tourism, University postgraduate courses, a European funding asset, stopping brain drain, brain gain, regain, STEM and STEAM development models,, changing people’s mentality, etc) •Greece is seismogenic geodetic studies will be helpful in combination of traditional earthquake studies •Deep Space Communications