Parkes Observatory

The Parkes Radio Telescope, completed in 1961, was the brainchild of E. G. "Taffy" Bowen, chief of the CSIRO's Radiophysics Laboratory. During the Second World War, he had worked on radar development in the United States and had made connections in its scientific community. Calling on this old boy network, he persuaded two philanthropic organisations, the Carnegie Corporation and the Rockefeller Foundation, to fund half the cost of the telescope. It was this recognition and key financial support from the United States that persuaded Australian prime minister, Robert Menzies, to agree to fund the rest of the project.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/parkes/default.htm|title=40 Years of The Dish|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|last1=Robertson|first1=Peter|access-date=10 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307100254/http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/parkes/default.htm|archive-date=7 March 2007|url-status=live}}

The Parkes site was chosen in 1956, as it was accessible, but far enough from Sydney to have clear skies. Additionally the mayor Ces Moon and landowner Australia James Helm were both enthusiastic about the project.{{cite web|url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/parkes-radio-telescope-construction/|publisher=CSIROpedia|title=Parkes radio telescope construction|date=11 February 2011 |access-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715141121/https://csiropedia.csiro.au/parkes-radio-telescope-construction/|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}}

The success of the Parkes telescope led NASA to copy features of the design into their Deep Space Network, which included three {{convert|64|m|ft|adj=on}} dishes built at Goldstone, California, Madrid, Spain, and Tidbinbilla, near Canberra in Australia.{{cite book|author1=Goss, W.M.|author2=Hooker, C.|author3=Ekers, R.D.|date=2023|chapter=Reflections on GRT Science, post 1961. |title=Joe Pawsey and the Founding of Australian Radio Astronomy|series=Historical & Cultural Astronomy |pages=493–517 |publisher=Springer, Cham. |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-07916-0_32 |isbn=978-3-031-07915-3 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07916-0_32|quote=The Parkes Telescope also proved timely for the US space programme. Bowen received a NASA grant for Minnett to participate in studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory … for the design of a 210 ft instrument [in the end three of these were constructed] for communicating with very distant space probes. Many of the Parkes features, including the drive and control concepts, were adopted.|access-date=19 March 2023}}

The telescope continues to be upgraded, and as of 2018 is 10,000 times more sensitive than its initial configuration.{{cite web|url=https://www.parkeschampionpost.com.au/story/5402082/multi-million-dollar-receiver-revolutionary-for-the-parkes-radio-telescope-photos-video/|title=Multi-million dollar receiver to revolutionise science at Parkes Radio Telescope|last1=Little|first1=Christine|date=15 May 2018|work=Parkes Champion Post|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717050116/https://www.parkeschampionpost.com.au/story/5402082/multi-million-dollar-receiver-revolutionary-for-the-parkes-radio-telescope-photos-video/|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}}

File:Parkes.arp.750pix.jpg

The primary observing instrument is the {{convert|64|m|adj=on}} movable dish telescope, second largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the first large movable dishes in the world (DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla was extended from {{convert|64|m|adj=on}} to {{convert|70|m|adj=on}} in 1987, surpassing Parkes).{{cite web|url=http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/Pages2/pg01h_history.html#anchor46177|title=Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807045646/http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/Pages2/pg01h_history.html#anchor46177|archive-date=7 August 2011|url-status=dead|publisher=NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory}}

The inner part of the dish is solid aluminium and the outer area a fine aluminium mesh,{{cite web|title=The Dish turns 45|url=http://www.csiro.au/files/files/pbhq.rtf|author=CSIRO|access-date=October 3, 2023|publisher=Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824003225/http://www.csiro.au/files/files/pbhq.rtf |archive-date=August 24, 2008 }} creating its distinctive two-tone appearance.

In the early 1970s the outer mesh panels were replaced by perforated aluminium panels. The inner smooth plated surface was upgraded in 1975 which provided focusing capability for centimetre- and millimetre-length microwaves.{{cite book|url=http://lib.iszf.irk.ru/Observatories-and-Telescopes-of-Modern-Times-Ground-Based-Optical-and-Radio-Astronomy-Facilities-since-1945.pdf|page=285|title=Observatories and Telescopes of Modern Times|last1=Leverington|first1=David|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-89993-2|year=2017|lccn=2016026406|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717013108/http://lib.iszf.irk.ru/Observatories-and-Telescopes-of-Modern-Times-Ground-Based-Optical-and-Radio-Astronomy-Facilities-since-1945.pdf|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}}

The inner aluminium plating was expanded out to a {{convert|55|m|ft}} diameter in 2003, improving signals by 1dB.{{cite web|url=https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/surface_upgrade/|title=CSIRO's Parkes Telescope Surface Upgrade March 2003|publisher=Australia Telescope National Facility|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405010404/https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/surface_upgrade/|archive-date=5 April 2019|url-status=live}}

The telescope has an altazimuth mount. It is guided by a small mock-telescope placed within the structure at the same rotational axes as the dish, but with an equatorial mount. The two are dynamically locked when tracking an astronomical object by a laser guiding system. This primary-secondary approach was designed by Barnes Wallis.

File:Parkes Radio Telescope focus cabin August 2020.jpg

The focus cabin is located at the focus of the parabolic dish, supported by three struts {{convert|27|m|ft}} above the dish. The cabin contains multiple radio and microwave detectors, which can be switched into the focus beam for different science observations.

These include:{{cite web|url=https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/observing/documentation/user_guide/pks_ug_3.html|publisher=Australia Telescope National Facility|title=Receivers and Correlators|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319112455/http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/observing/documentation/user_guide/pks_ug_3.html|archive-date=19 March 2019|url-status=live}}

• {{convert|1050|cm|ft|adj=on}} receiver (Replaced now by UWL)
• The Multibeam Receiver – a 13-horned receiver cooled at {{convert|-200|C|F K}} for the {{convert|21|cm|in|adj=on}} Hydrogen line.{{cite web|url=https://maas.museum/observations/2012/09/25/the-parkes-multibeam-receiver-mapped-galaxies-over-the-entire-southern-sky/|title=The Parkes Multibeam Receiver mapped galaxies over the entire southern sky|publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences|last1=Lomb|first1=Nick|date=25 September 2012|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717050113/https://maas.museum/observations/2012/09/25/the-parkes-multibeam-receiver-mapped-galaxies-over-the-entire-southern-sky/|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/multibeam/instrument/description.html|title=Multibeam Receiver Description|last1=Staveley-Smith|first1=Lister|date=27 May 1997|publisher=Australia Telescope National Facility|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319044427/http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/multibeam/instrument/description.html|archive-date=19 March 2019|url-status=live}}
• H-OH receiver (Replaced now by UWL)
• GALILEO receiver (Replaced now by UWL)
• AT multiband receivers, covering 2.2-2.5,4.5-5.1 and 8.1-8.7 GHz
• METH6, covering 5.9-6.8 GHz
• MARS (X band receiver), covering 8.1-8.5 GHz
• KU-BAND, covering 12–15 GHz
• 13MM (K band receiver), covering 16–26 GHz
• Ultra Wideband Low (UWL) receiver – installed in 2018 it can simultaneously receive signals from 700 MHz to 4 GHz.{{cite web|url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/parkes-radio-telescope-gets-an-upgrade|title=Parkes radio-telescope gets an upgrade|date=21 May 2018|publisher=Cosmos Magazine Blog|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715141119/https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/parkes-radio-telescope-gets-an-upgrade|archive-date=15 July 2019|url-status=live}} It is cooled to {{convert|-255|C|F K}} to minimise noise and will enable astronomers to work on more than one project at once.{{cite web|url=http://www.atnf.csiro.au/technology/receivers/ultra-wideband-receiver-parkes|title=Ultra wideband receiver at Parkes|publisher=Australia Telescope National Facility|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323151728/http://www.atnf.csiro.au/technology/receivers/ultra-wideband-receiver-parkes|archive-date=23 March 2019|url-status=live}}

The {{convert|18|m|adj=on}} "Kennedy Dish" antenna was transferred from the Fleurs Observatory (where it was part of the Mills Cross Telescope) in 1963. Mounted on rails and powered by a tractor engine to allow the distance between the antenna and the main dish to be easily varied, it was used as an interferometer with the main dish. Phase instability due to an exposed cable meant that its pointing ability was diminished, but it was able to be used for identifying size and brightness distributions. In 1968 it successfully proved that Radio galaxy lobes were not expanding, and in the same era contributed to Hydrogen line and OH investigations. As a stand-alone antenna it was used in studying the Magellanic Stream.{{cite journal|title=The Parkes 18-m Antenna: a brief historical evaluation |journal=Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage |date=July 2012 |last=Orchiston |first=Wayne |volume=15 |number=2 |pages=96–99|doi=10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2012.02.02 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258658517|bibcode=2012JAHH...15...96O |s2cid=220743447 }}

It was used as an uplink antenna in the Apollo program, as the larger Parkes telescope is receive-only.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/pictures/down-under-the-dish-looks-to-the-heavens-photos/4/|title=Down Under, 'the dish' looks to the heavens (photos): Both big and small|publisher=cnet|date=13 December 2011|author=Kent German|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716142601/https://www.cnet.com/pictures/down-under-the-dish-looks-to-the-heavens-photos/4/|archive-date=16 July 2019|url-status=live}} It is preserved by the Australia Telescope National Facility.{{cite book|page=163|title=The New Astronomy: Opening the Electromagnetic Window and Expanding Our View of Planet Earth|publisher=Springer|editor=Wayne Orchiston |isbn=1-4020-3724-4 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225838906 |year=2005}}

The observatory is a part of the Australia Telescope National Facility network of radio telescopes. The {{convert|64|m|ft|adj=on}} dish is frequently operated together with the Australia Telescope Compact Array at Narrabri, the ASKAP array in Western Australia, and a single dish at Mopra, telescopes operated by the University of Tasmania as well as telescopes from New Zealand, South Africa and Asia to form a Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) array.

File:ParkesTelescopeNight.png

1960s

• Built in 1961 and was fully operational by 1963.
• A 1962 series of lunar occultations of the radio source 3C 273 observed by the Parkes Telescope were used to locate its exact position, allowing astronomers to find and study its visual component. Soon to be called "quasi-stellar radio sources" (quasar), Parkes observation was the first time this type of object to be associated with an optical counterpart.[https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/3C273/ Parkes and 3C273, The Identification of the First Quasar , parkes.atnf.csiro.au]
• 1964 to 1966, all-sky survey at 408 MHz of the southern sky is conducted and published (first version of the Parkes Catalogue of Radio Sources) finding over 2000 radio sources including many new quasars.Colin Ward, Parkes radio telescope construction, Achievements, Parkes radio telescope, construction, csiropedia.csiro.au, 2011
• Second all-sky survey at 2,700 MHz begins in 1968 (completed in 1980).

1990s

• June and November 1990, Parkes collaborates with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory to conduct a 5GHZ (6 cm) all-sky survey (The Parkes-MIT-NRAO (PMN) Surveys). The Telescope is equipped with a NRAO multi-beam receiver operating at a frequency of 4850 MHz.[http://www.virtualobservatory.org/whatis/telescopes/pmn.aspx The Parkes-MIT-NRAO (PMN) Surveys, The Parkes 64m radio telescope is located in Parkes, New South Wales, virtualobservatory.org]
• Between 1997 and 2002 it conducted the H I Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS) neutral hydrogen survey, the largest blind survey for galaxies in the hydrogen line (21-centimeter line or H I line) to date.

2000s

• More than half of currently known pulsars were discovered by the Parkes Observatory.
• Vital component of the {{visible anchor|Parkes Pulsar Timing Array}}{{cite web|url=http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/pulsar/ppta|title=Parkes Pulsar Timing Array|access-date=10 August 2016|publisher=Australia Telescope National Facility Wiki|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705070311/http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/pulsar/ppta/|archive-date=5 July 2016|url-status=live}} programme to detect gravity waves as part of the broader International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA), which also includes the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) and the European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA).

Fast radio bursts were discovered in 2007 when Duncan Lorimer of West Virginia University assigned his student David Narkevic to look through archival data recorded in 2001 by the Parkes radio dish.{{cite news |last=McKee |first=Maggie |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12699-extragalactic-radio-burst-puzzles-astronomers/ |title=Extragalactic radio burst puzzles astronomers |work=New Scientist |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=2015-09-18}}

Analysis of the survey data found a 30-jansky dispersed burst which occurred on 24 July 2001,{{cite journal |url=http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/318/5851/777?ck=nck |title=A Bright Millisecond Radio Burst of Extragalactic Origin |author=D. R. Lorimer |display-authors=4 |author2=M. Bailes |author3=M. A. McLaughlin |author4=D. J. Narkevic |author5=F. Crawford |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=2010-06-23| journal=Science |volume=318| pages=777–780| number=5851| arxiv=0709.4301| doi=10.1126/science.1147532 |pmid=17901298 |bibcode=2007Sci...318..777L |hdl=1959.3/42649|s2cid=15321890 }} less than 5 milliseconds in duration, located 3° from the Small Magellanic Cloud.{{cite journal | doi = 10.1038/nphys2724 | title=No flash in the pan | journal=Nature Physics | date=2013 | volume=9 | issue=8 | pages=454 | first=May | last=Chiao|bibcode = 2013NatPh...9..454C| doi-access=free }} At the time it was theorised FRBs might be signals from another galaxy, emissions from neutron stars or black holes.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/10/astronomers-may-be-closing-in-on-source-of-mysterious-fast-radio-bursts |title=Astronomers may be closing in on source of mysterious fast radio bursts |first=Hannah|last= Devlin |work=The Guardian |date=10 January 2018}} More recent results confirm that magnetars, a kind of highly magnetised neutron star, may be one source of fast radio bursts.{{cite journal |author=Andersen, B. |display-authors=et al.|title=A bright millisecond-duration radio burst from a Galactic magnetar |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2863-y |date=4 November 2020 |journal=Nature |volume=587 |issue=7832|pages=54–58 |doi=10.1038/s41586-020-2863-y |pmid=33149292|arxiv=2005.10324|bibcode=2020Natur.587...54C|s2cid=218763435|access-date=5 November 2020 }}

In 1998 Parkes telescope began detecting fast radio bursts and similar looking signals named perytons. Perytons were thought to be of terrestrial origin, such as interference from lightning strikes.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/11582733/Strange-outer-space-signal-that-baffled-Australian-scientists-turns-out-to-be-microwave-oven.html|title=Strange 'outer space' signal that baffled Australian scientists turns out to be microwave oven|date=5 May 2015|newspaper=The Telegraph|last1=Pearlman|first1=Jonathan|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025027/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/11582733/Strange-outer-space-signal-that-baffled-Australian-scientists-turns-out-to-be-microwave-oven.html|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/05/microwave-oven-caused-mystery-signal-plaguing-radio-telescope-for-17-years|title=Microwave oven to blame for mystery signal that left astronomers stumped|author=Monica Tan|work=The Guardian|date=5 May 2015 |access-date=16 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303064230/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/05/microwave-oven-caused-mystery-signal-plaguing-radio-telescope-for-17-years|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://bgr.com/2015/05/05/parkes-telescope-radio-signals-aliens-microwave/|title=Parkes Telescope's mysterious radio signals didn't come from aliens, but from a microwave - BGR|first1=Yoni|last1=Heisler|work=BGR|date=5 May 2015|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507173627/http://bgr.com/2015/05/05/parkes-telescope-radio-signals-aliens-microwave/|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=George|first1=Honey|title=Parkes Telescope Scientists Found That The Outer Space Signals Were Not From Aliens But From Their Microwave Oven|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/parkes-telescope-scientists-found-outer-space-signals-were-not-aliens-their-microwave-oven-1446050|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160529123141/http://au.ibtimes.com/parkes-telescope-scientists-found-outer-space-signals-were-not-aliens-their-microwave-oven-1446050|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2016|access-date=7 May 2015|work=International Business Times|date=6 May 2015}} In 2015 it was determined that perytons were caused by staff members opening the door of the facility's microwave oven during its cycle.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-05/scientists-discover-signals-being-sent-by-kitchen-microwave/6445570|title=Parkes telescope scientists discover 'strange signals' from kitchen microwave|work=ABC News|date=5 May 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507175324/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-05/scientists-discover-signals-being-sent-by-kitchen-microwave/6445570|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-05/05/microwave-parkes-observatory|title=Microwave oven baffled astronomers for decades|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519045954/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-05/05/microwave-parkes-observatory|archive-date=19 May 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/parkes-telescope-scientists-discover-strange-space-signals-actually-came-from-kitchen-microwave/ar-BBjbjNG|title=Parkes telescope scientists discover strange 'space signals' actually came from kitchen microwave|publisher=MSN|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508003749/http://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/parkes-telescope-scientists-discover-strange-space-signals-actually-came-from-kitchen-microwave/ar-BBjbjNG|archive-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live|date=5 May 2015}} When the microwave oven door was opened, 1.4 GHz microwaves from the magnetron shutdown phase were able to escape.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/astronomy/astronomy-mystery-solved-theyre-space-pings-but-not-as-we-know-them-20150505-1mur6m.html|title=Astronomy mystery solved: They're space pings, but not as we know them|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 May 2015 |access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506202016/http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/astronomy/astronomy-mystery-solved-theyre-space-pings-but-not-as-we-know-them-20150505-1mur6m.html|archive-date=6 May 2015|url-status=live}} Subsequent tests revealed that a peryton can be generated at 1.4 GHz when a microwave oven door is opened prematurely and the telescope is at an appropriate relative angle.{{Cite journal|arxiv=1504.02165|title= Identifying the source of perytons at the Parkes radio telescope|journal= Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society|volume= 451|issue= 4|pages= 3933|last1= Petroff|first1= E.|last2= Keane|first2= E. F.|last3= Barr|first3= E. D.|last4= Reynolds|first4= J. E.|last5= Sarkissian|first5= J.|last6= Edwards|first6= P. G.|last7= Stevens|first7= J.|last8= Brem|first8= C.|last9= Jameson|first9= A.|last10= Burke-Spolaor|first10= S.|last11= Johnston|first11= S.|last12= Bhat|first12= N. D. R.|last13= Chandra|first13= P.|last14= Kudale|first14= S.|last15= Bhandari|first15= S.|year= 2015|doi= 10.1093/mnras/stv1242|doi-access= free|bibcode=2015MNRAS.451.3933P}}

The telescope has been contracted to be used in a search for radio signals from extraterrestrial technologies for the heavily funded project Breakthrough Listen.{{Cite magazine|url = https://www.wired.com/2015/07/russian-tycoon-spending-100-million-hunt-aliens/|title = A Russian Tycoon Is Spending $100 Million to Hunt for Aliens|date = 20 July 2015|magazine = WIRED|last = Zhang|first = Sarah|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160413024009/http://www.wired.com/2015/07/russian-tycoon-spending-100-million-hunt-aliens/|archive-date = 13 April 2016|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/australias-parkes-telescope-is-at-the-forefront-of-stephen-hawkings-a135-million-search-for-alien-life/story-fnjwlcze-1227481145758|title=Stephen Hawking's $135m search for alien life: Parkes telescope in NSW to lead way|date=12 August 2015|work=NewsComAu|access-date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018142541/http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/australias-parkes-telescope-is-at-the-forefront-of-stephen-hawkings-a135-million-search-for-alien-life/story-fnjwlcze-1227481145758|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=live}} The principal role of the Parkes Telescope in the program will be to conduct a survey of the Milky Way galactic plane over 1.2 to 1.5 GHz and a targeted search of approximately 1000 nearby stars over the frequency range 0.7 to 4 GHz.

File:CSIRO ScienceImage 4350 CSIROs Parkes Radio Telescope with moon in the background.jpg]]

During the Apollo missions to the Moon, the Parkes Observatory was used to relay communication and telemetry signals to NASA, providing coverage for when the Moon was on the Australian side of the Earth.

The telescope also played a role in relaying data from the NASA Galileo mission to Jupiter that required radio-telescope support due to the use of its backup telemetry subsystem as the principal means to relay science data.

The observatory has remained involved in tracking numerous space missions up to the present day, including:

• Mariner 2
• Mariner 4
• Voyager missions (but no longer due to distance of the probes, only the {{convert|70|m|ft|adj=on}} dish at the CDSCC can still communicate with the two Voyager probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.){{cite web|title=Life of a Universe|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/brian-cox-life-of-a-universe/|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=23 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312184314/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/brian-cox-life-of-a-universe/|archive-date=12 March 2017|url-status=live}}
• Giotto where it was the primary control and downlink for the mission to Halley's Comet{{cite book |last=Calder |first=Nigel |title=Giotto to the comets |publisher=Presswork |publication-place=London |date=1992 |isbn=0-9520115-0-6 |page=45}}
• Galileo
• Cassini-Huygens (until 2017)

To assist in a busy spaceflight period at the end of 2003 to early 2004, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) incorporated the Parkes dish. NASA upgraded the antenna through the CDSCC with new receivers and equipment capable of handling transmissions from robotic spacecraft. When its research time allows, Parkes can act as a spare 'ear' for CDSCC during times of high activity. While being used thus it is designated as DSS (Deep Space Station)-49.{{cite web |title=Antennas - Lending a Helping Ear |url=https://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/Pages/antennas.html |website=www.cdscc.nasa.gov |publisher=CSIRO |access-date=6 April 2025}}

The CSIRO has made several documentaries on this observatory, with some of these documentaries being posted to YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4536CFC8E354440C&feature=plcp|title=CSIRO YouTube Channel|website=YouTube |access-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220072344/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4536CFC8E354440C&feature=plcp|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}

File:ABC Apollo 11.ogv news report on the role of the Parkes telescope and the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station, a week before the Moon landing]]

When Buzz Aldrin switched on the TV camera on the Lunar Module, three tracking antennas received the signals simultaneously. They were the {{convert|64|m|ft|adj=on}} Goldstone antenna in California, the {{convert|26|m|ft|adj=on}} antenna at Honeysuckle Creek near Canberra in Australia, and the {{convert|64|m|ft|adj=on}} dish at Parkes.

Since they started the spacewalk early, the Moon was only just above the horizon and below the visibility of the main Parkes receiver. Although they were able to pick up a quality signal from the off axis receiver, the international broadcast alternated between signals from Goldstone and Honeysuckle Creek, the latter of which ultimately broadcast Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2019/07/honeysuckle-creek-the-little-known-heroes-of-the-moon-walk-broadcast/ |title=Honeysuckle Creek: the little-known heroes of the Moon walk broadcast |author=Andrew Tink |date=15 July 2019 |publisher=Australian Geographic |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715040831/https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2019/07/honeysuckle-creek-the-little-known-heroes-of-the-moon-walk-broadcast/ |archive-date=15 July 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite journal|journal=Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia|volume=18|pages=287–310|number=3|title=On Eagles Wings: The Parkes Observatory's Support of the Apollo 11 Mission|first=John|last=Sarkissian|year=2001|url=https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/news_events/apollo11/pasa/on_eagles_wings.pdf|doi=10.1071/AS01038|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402072337/http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/news_events/apollo11/pasa/on_eagles_wings.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=live|bibcode=2001PASA...18..287S|doi-access=free}}

File:Parkes Dish Astronaut 2009 07 19.jpg

A little under nine minutes into the broadcast, the Moon rose far enough to be picked by the main antenna and the international broadcast switched to the Parkes signal. The quality of the TV pictures from Parkes was so superior that NASA stayed with Parkes as the source of the TV for the remainder of the 2.5-hour broadcast.{{cite web |last1=Falk |first1=Dan |title=A Wind Storm in Australia Nearly Interrupted the Moon Landing Broadcast |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/wind-storm-australia-almost-interrupted-apollo-11-moon-landing-broadcast-180972581/ |publisher=Smithsonian Magazine |access-date=14 July 2019 |date=9 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714011627/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/wind-storm-australia-almost-interrupted-apollo-11-moon-landing-broadcast-180972581/ |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=live }}{{rp||pages=287–288}}

In the lead up to the landing wind gusts greater than {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} were hitting the Parkes telescope, and the telescope operated outside safety limits throughout the moonwalk.{{rp|300–301}}

In 2012 the observatory received special signals from the Mars rover Opportunity (MER-B), to simulate the Curiosity rover UHF radio.{{cite web|url=http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol3023|title=Mars Exploration Rover Mission: All Opportunity Updates|publisher=NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory|access-date=14 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812032030/http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_opportunityAll.html#sol3023|archive-date=12 August 2012|url-status=live}} This helped prepare for the then upcoming Curiosity (MSL) landing in early August{{mdash}}it successfully touched down on 6 August 2012.

The Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre allows visitors to view the dish as it moves. There are exhibits about the history of the telescope, astronomy, and space science, and a 3-D movie theatre.

In 1995 the radio telescope was declared a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/heritage/radio-telescope-parkes-1961|title=Radio Telescope, Parkes, 1961-|publisher=Engineers Australia|access-date=9 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914235907/https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/heritage/radio-telescope-parkes-1961|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=live}} The nomination cited its status as the largest southern hemisphere radio telescope, elegant structure, with features mimicked by later Deep Space Network telescopes, scientific discoveries and social importance through "enhancing [Australia's] image as a technologically advanced nation".{{cite web|url=https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Parkes%20Radio%20Telescope%20-%20Nomination.pdf|title=Submission to the Institution of Engineers, Australia to nominate the Parkes Radio Telescope as a National Engineering Landmark|date=15 October 1995 |publisher=Engineers Australia}}

On Monday, 31 October 2011, Google Australia replaced its logo with a Google Doodle in honour of Parkes Observatory's 50th anniversary.{{cite web | url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/10/google-doodle-celebrates-parkes-observatory/ | title=Google Doodle Celebrates Parkes Observatory | publisher=Gizmodo | date=31 October 2011 | access-date=13 November 2011 | last1=Kidman | first1=Alex | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105102412/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/10/google-doodle-celebrates-parkes-observatory/ | archive-date=5 November 2011 | url-status=live }}

The Parkes Radio Telescope was added to the National Heritage List in 2020.{{cite news |last1=Furlong |first1=Caitlin |last2=Woodburn |first2=Joanna |title=CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope – The Dish – added to National Heritage List |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-10/parkes-radio-telescope-the-dish-on-national-heritage-list/12540760?WT.ac=statenews_nsw |access-date=10 August 2020 |work=ABC Central West |date=10 August 2020}}

• In 1964 the telescope featured in the opening credit sequence of The Stranger, Australia's first locally produced sci-fi TV series. Some scenes were also shot on location at the telescope and inside the observatory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-02/abc-iview-to-stream-the-stranger-australian-dr-who/11870424.html|title=The Stranger, Australia's answer to Doctor Who, premieres on ABC iview after decades in the vaults|last=Maguire|first=Dannielle|date=2 February 2020|publisher=ABC|language=en|access-date=11 February 2020}}
• The observatory and telescope were featured in the 2000 film The Dish, a fictionalised account of the observatory's involvement with the Apollo 11 Moon landing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/features/featurepages/0,,496701,00.html|title=Dishing up an Australian legend|last=Barkham|first=Patrick|date=25 May 2001|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=1 October 2018}}
• The telescope is featured on the cover of Steve Hillage's 1977 album Motivation Radio.

In November 2020, in NAIDOC Week, the Observatory's three telescopes were given Wiradjuri names. The main telescope ("The Dish") is Murriyang, after the home in the stars of Biyaami, the creator spirit. The smaller 12m dish built in 2008 is Giyalung Miil, meaning "Smart Eye". The third, decommissioned antenna is Giyalung Guluman, meaning "Smart Dish".{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-09/the-dish-is-given-a-wiradjuri-name/12862452|title=CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope — The Dish — given a Wiradjuri name to mark start of NAIDOC week|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=9 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2020|author=Hugh Hogan}}

• Apollo 11 missing tapes
• John Gatenby Bolton
• List of astronomical observatories
• List of radio telescopes

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/ Official website ]
• [https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/ATNF/Parkes-radio-telescope-Murriyang Parkes Observatory facts and visitors centre information]
• [https://csiropedia.csiro.au/tour-parkes-radio-telescope-1979/ A Tour of the Parkes Radio Telescope (1979)]
• [http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/parkes/default.htm ABC Science, 2001: 40 years of the Dish]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110410072139/http://outreach.atnf.csiro.au/visiting/parkes/parkeswebcam.html View the dish in action]
• [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19660020278_1966020278.pdf Observation of Mariner IV with the Parkes 210-ft Radio Telescope]
• [http://www.abc.net.au/rn/360/stories/2009/2558833.htm The sound of the Universe singing] - ABC Radio National radio documentary on the story of 'the dish' since its construction
• [http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/pulsar/ppta Parkes Pulsar Timing Array]

{{Radio-astronomy}}

{{Gravitational waves}}

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