Delaware in Delaware County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Pioneer Radio Telescope / Big Ear Radio Telescope
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
1. Pioneer Radio Telescope Marker (side A)
Inscription.
Pioneer Radio Telescope, also, Big Ear Radio Telescope. .
Pioneer Radio Telescope. One-half mile east is the site of the former BIG EAR radio telescope. Designed by Dr. John D. Kraus, pioneering radio astronomer at Ohio State University, it had a collecting area of 340 by 70 feet (104 by 21 meters). The observatory was completed in 1963. The Ohio Sky Survey recorded here between 1965 and 1972 was the most accurate, reliable, and complete mapping of cosmic radio signals (the "radio sky") for many years. BIG EAR gained fame for its ability to detect quasi-stellar radio sources, or "quasars," and for its discovery of some of the most distant objects known. This observatory conducted a 24-year continuous search for evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, during which the famous "Wow!" signal was received in 1977. BIG EAR was demolished in 1998. ["Wow!" signal graphic],
Big Ear Radio Telescope. BIG EAR consisted of a flat tiltable reflector, a fixed standing parabolic reflector, and pairs of receiving horn antennas. Radio signals were bounced off the flat reflector, focused by the parabolic reflector, and collected by the feed horns. The telescope used the rotation of the Earth to scan a narrow path across the sky once each day. The Ohio State University and the National Science Foundation funded the telescope's design and construction, and it was built almost entirely with faculty and student part-time labor. From 1973 through 1997, the observatory was operated and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteer scientists with generous assistance from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and private benefactors. Successful operation of the telescope would not have been possible without the dedication of site technician Eugene (Gene) Mikesell (1931-1987).
Pioneer Radio Telescope
One-half mile east is the site of the former BIG EAR radio telescope. Designed by Dr. John D. Kraus, pioneering radio astronomer at Ohio State University, it had a collecting area of 340 by 70 feet (104 by 21 meters). The observatory was completed in 1963. The Ohio Sky Survey recorded here between 1965 and 1972 was the most accurate, reliable, and complete mapping of cosmic radio signals (the "radio sky") for many years. BIG EAR gained fame for its ability to detect quasi-stellar radio sources, or "quasars," and for its discovery of some of the most distant objects known. This observatory conducted a 24-year continuous search for evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, during which the famous "Wow!" signal was received in 1977. BIG EAR was demolished in 1998. ["Wow!" signal graphic]
Big Ear Radio Telescope
BIG EAR consisted of a flat tiltable reflector, a fixed standing parabolic reflector, and pairs of receiving horn antennas. Radio signals were bounced off the flat reflector, focused by the parabolic reflector, and collected by the feed horns. The telescope used the rotation of the Earth to scan a narrow path across the sky once each day.
The Ohio State University and the National Science Foundation funded the telescope's design and construction,
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and it was built almost entirely with faculty and student part-time labor. From 1973 through 1997, the observatory was operated and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteer scientists with generous assistance from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and private benefactors. Successful operation of the telescope would not have been possible without the dedication of site technician Eugene (Gene) Mikesell (1931-1987).
Erected 2000 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Ohio State University Radio Observatory, North American Astrophysical Observatory, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1-21.)
Location. 40° 14.951′ N, 83° 3.468′ W. Marker is in Delaware, Ohio, in Delaware County. Marker is at the intersection of Columbus Pike (U.S. 23) and the Delaware Golf Club entrance road, on the right when traveling north on Columbus Pike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delaware OH 43015, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
Also see . . . Big Ear Memorial Website. "The telescope was destroyed in early 1998. An adjacent 9-hole golf course was expanded into 18 holes and about 400 homes were planned for construction on the nearby land..." (Submitted on October 23, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
3. Pioneer Radio Telescope / Big Ear Radio Telescope Marker
Looking north.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
4. Photo of Big Ear Radio Telescope on Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2008
5. Wow Photo on Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,334 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 22, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
