Prospects for the solar radio telescope

Abstract

The Solar Radio Telescope (SRT) is an instrument concept for a powerful solar-dedicated radio telescope. As presently conceived. it would combine a high-resolution imaging capability (2″ at 20 GHz) with a broadband spectroscopic capability (0.3–26 GHz). In other words, the SRT would perform broadband imaging spectroscopy on a wide range of quiet- and active-Sun phenomena. On 17–20 April, 1995, a workshop was held in San Juan Capistrano, California. The purpose of the workshop, which was attended by more than 40 scientists from the US and around the world, was to discuss the science that could be done with a solar-dedicated radio synthesis telescope, and to discuss the design constraints imposed by the science envisioned. Special attention was also given to nighttime uses for the instrument. We summarize the “strawman” concept for the instrument here.