Ohio State University Radio Observatory

The Ohio State University Radio Observatory was a Kraus-type (after its inventor John D. Kraus) radio telescope located on the grounds of the Perkins Observatory at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio from 1963 to 1998. Known as Big Ear, the observatory was part of Ohio State University's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project. The telescope was designed by John D. Kraus. Construction of the Big Ear began in 1956 and was completed in 1961, and it was finally turned on for the first time in 1963.

Ohio State University Radio Observatory
Alternative namesThe Big Ear
Location(s)Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio
Coordinates40°15′04″N 83°02′57″W
Telescope styleradio telescope Edit this on Wikidata
Ohio State University Radio Observatory is located in the United States
Ohio State University Radio Observatory
Location of Ohio State University Radio Observatory

The main reflector of Big Ear—The Flat Reflector—measured approximately 103 meters by 33 meters, giving it the sensitivity equivalent to a circular dish measuring nearly 53 meters in diameter.[1]

The observatory completed the Ohio Sky Survey in 1971, and from 1973–1995, Big Ear was used to search for extraterrestrial radio signals, making it the longest running SETI project in history. In 1977, the Big Ear received the Wow! signal. The observatory was disassembled in 1998 when developers purchased the site from the university and used the land to expand a nearby golf course.[2]

History

From 1965–1971, the Big Ear was used to map wideband radio sources for the Ohio Sky Survey, its first sky survey for extraterrestrial radio sources.[2]

The Wow! signal represented as "6EQUJ5" on the original computer printout

In 1977, the Big Ear recorded an unusual and apparently extraterrestrial radio signal, which became known as the Wow! signal. The observation would prove to be unique, since no similar signals were ever detected afterwards.[3]

The Big Ear was listed in the 1995 Guinness Book of World Records under the category of "Longest Extraterrestrial Search":

The longest-running full-scale SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) project is the Ohio SETI Program at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, which has searched the universe for extraterrestrial radio signals for 22 years, beginning in 1973.[4]

Surveys

See also

References
  1. "Big Ear Radio Observatory".
  2. Kelley, Susan (1998). "Last Remains of Big Ear Telescope Removed". Delaware Gazette. Big Ear Radio Observatory.
  3. Kawa, Barry (1994-09-18). "The "Wow!" Signal". The Plain Dealer. Big Ear Radio Observatory.
  4. "Big Ear Entered in Guinness Book of Records". Big Ear Radio Observatory and North American AstroPhysical Observatory. 2005.

Further reading
  • Kraus, John D. (1995) [1976]. Big Ear Two: Listening for Other-Worlds (2 ed.). Cygnus-Quasar Books. ISBN 1-882484-12-6.
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