The Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center is located in Irbene, a former Soviet Army campus, and is hosted by the Ventspils University Institute of Engineering. The 32 m fully rotatable parabolic antenna RT-32, the largest in Northern Europe and the eighth largest in the world, as well as the second 16 m antenna RT-16, are still in operation here for scientific purposes. Both antennas were renewed in the summer of 2015.
Science
Parabolic antennas are used for observations of interstellar environmental objects, Solar radio‑observations, radiolocation of asteroids and near-Earth artificial objects including space debris, especially for large base interferometry observations of objects outside the Solar System.
Excursion program:
- A walk across the Irbene territory around the radio telescopes RT-32 and RT-16
- RT-8 tour with the possibility to climb to the top and see the expanses of Kurzeme,
- walk through the underground tunnel,
- A visit to F. Cander’s memorial space in the “Kristāls” building
- The excursion time is about 1.5 hours, it is available in Latvian, English and Russian.
How to apply?
Excursions take place by prior appointment (at least 3 days) with a guide only (in Latvian, English and Russian).
To apply for the excursion, please send an e-mail to: [email protected] or call 29230818 (working days only). Excursions are available from May till October.
Excursions take place only in groups (min. 1, maximum number of 10 people) – the price of the excursion remains unchanged at 65 EUR* (1.5 H). *Students, children or pensioners are considered separately.