| 27th of August 2020 |
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| The Parkes Testbed Facility |
| The Parkes Testbed Facility (PTF) was installed at the Parkes Observatory in 2008 to test the prototype phased array feeds (PAFs) for ASKAP. The antenna was based on a 12-m diameter prime focus antenna built by Patriot Antenna Systems. The first prototype PAF was hoisted onto the antenna in July 2008, and on Tuesday 29 July "first light" was achieved. In September 2008 further testing included interferometry between the 12-m dish and the Parkes 64-m dish. |