Astronomers

This section provides essential information for astronomers, in particular on how to propose observations, the instruments available and in development, the radio-frequency environment, and the on-site facilities. Explore how to plan your project, access cutting-edge instrumentation, and make the most of the SRT’s unique capabilities.

Venue

General information

The Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT; Lat. 39°29'34"N - Long. 9°14'42" E) is located approximately 45 km north of Cagliari Airport and 40 km north of the Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari (Via della Scienza, 5; Selargius). Note that public transportation to the SRT site is not available, so renting a car is highly recommended. Car rental services can be found at the airport or in Cagliari city center.

Once your proposal is accepted, a project friend will be assigned to you in order to provide technical information upon your arrival at SRT and offer support during the initial phase of your observations. Please contact your project friend as soon as possible if you intend to stay at the guest house.

Additionally, remember to bring your own Ethernet adapter to access the internet with your laptop from the main office building (where the control room and guest office are located) and in the guest house.

As there is no food or food delivery service at the telescope, we recommend bringing your own provisions. You can find restaurants, markets, and cafés in Sant'Andrea Frius, approximately 10 km from SRT (located on the route from Cagliari to the site), or in Silius, which is 6 km from SRT.

Guest house

A fully equipped guest house, featuring seven rooms with private bathrooms, is available free of charge to observers at the SRT site for the duration of their observing run. Kitchen facilities are provided in both the main office building and the guest house; however, please note that there are no canteen or cafeteria services. Note also that room cleaning and refurbishment services are provided between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM on weekdays only.

Before your arrival

Below you can find the important steps to complete before your arrival. To ensure a smooth start, please:

  1. Communicate your MAC address: Please send your MAC address to your Project Friend a few days before your arrival. This will allow you to access the internet from your laptop at the site.
  2. Book guest house rooms: Your Project Friend will need to book guest house rooms for all observers in your program.
  3. Prepare your observing schedules: Your observing schedules must be finalized before your arrival. If you need assistance, please ask your Project Friend for advice or contact the user support at srt-usersupport.oaca@inaf.it. We recommend sending your schedules to your Project Friend a few days in advance via email so they can review them using the "scheduleChecker." You can find information on preparing your observing run and making SRT schedules at:
  4. Familiarize yourself with SRT procedures: Please review the SRT procedures available at: https://srt-procedures.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Rules at the SRT site

  • It is forbidden to go underneath the antenna for obvious security reasons.
  • Your mobile phone has to be set to airplane mode.
  • Please, switch-off the Wi-Fi of your computer.
  • Read carefully how to use the radio. It is important, in case of problems, to communicate with the security guard. The security guard service for the whole SRT site is active from 6pm to 9am from Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends and holidays.
  • Pay attention to the use of the microwave ovens. If observations in L-band are being carried out, do not use them.
  • You have to park your car following indications.
  • Note: the water in the kitchen, bathroom and guest house is not potable. Use for washing is ok, but not drinking. For the guest house: to allow the cleaning service to clean your room, place the key in the living room wall and expose the "Please make up room" card outside the door.
  • For safety reasons, please always show the "Please do not disturb" card outside the door when you are inside the room in order to warn the security guards about your presence inside the guest house.