The Ny-Ålesund Geodetic Observatory was built in 1993-94 with the construction of 20m telescope. The first VLBI observation was performed in October 1994.
In 2014 a new Geodetic Earth Observatory was constructed with the goal of building the northmost Fundamental Geodetic Observatory including a pair of VGOS telescopes, a DORIS beacon, GNSS and SLR space techniques and a new superconducting gravimeter. The official opening was done spring 2018. The old 20m telescope was dismantled in August 2023 after 29 years in service and three years of parallel observations with the new twin telescopes. Currently, the Geodetic Earth Observatory in Ny-Ålesund operated by Kartverket (the Norwegian Mapping Authority) operates two VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) radio telescopes.
The telescopes are equipped with broadband dual-polarised receivers (vertical and horizontal polarisation). The twin telescopes are built as two single telescopes, but can also be operated as an array in VLBI mode. The Ny-Ålesund radio telescopes are used for geodetic and astrometric VLBI.
Characteristics of the twin telescopes:
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geographic longitude (North RT/ South RT):
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11° 51′ 17” / 11° 51′ 19” |
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geographic latitude (North RT/ South RT):
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78° 56′ 36” / 78° 56′ 33”
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altitude above sea level:
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18.5 m
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diameter of telescope:
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13.2 m
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minimum elevation:
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15°
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The telescopes can observe down to 0°, but the elevation mask is set at 15° to prevent potential damage to the receivers from boat radars in the nearby fjord.
Frequencies used:
| Frequency band | Observing mode |
| 2200 – 2370 MHz | 20m VLBI |
| 8150 – 8650 MHz | 20m VLBI |
| 2 – 14 GHz | 13m IVS VGOS |
Research programs: geodynamical research, galactic and extragalactic research, Very Long Baseline Interferometry: astronomy and geodesy, pulsar research.