Speaker
Description
The Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory (GRAO), located at Kutunse near Accra, houses a 32-metre converted telecommunications antenna that is now Africa’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. Since its commissioning, the observatory has advanced steadily towards routine scientific operations, supporting observations of pulsars, methanol masers, and continuum sources. A core focus has been enabling Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), with GRAO contributing uniquely to global baselines due to its strategic equatorial location.
This presentation outlines recent technical upgrades to the telescope’s receiver and backend systems, including the C-band dual-polarization frontend, ROACH2-based single-dish backend, and VLBI-ready digital baseband converter with Mark5b recording. We highlight lessons learned from fringe tests, calibration strategies, and early participation in global VLBI sessions. Beyond instrumentation, capacity building and operator training have been central in sustaining operations and ensuring data quality.
By demonstrating its capability to reliably join international VLBI campaigns, GRAO not only strengthens global networks but also positions Ghana as a key partner in radio astronomy development. The talk will also share ongoing efforts to improve system sensitivity, and expand the range of science cases, while fostering collaborations that integrate African facilities more fully into the global VLBI ecosystem.
