MERLIN

:Alternate uses, see Merlin.

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The Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) is an array of radio telescopes spread across Britain. The array is run from Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire by the University of Manchester on behalf of PPARC as a National Facility.

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The array consists of up to seven radio telescopes and includes the Lovell Telescope, MkII, Cambridge, Defford, Knockin, Darnhall and Pickmere (previously known as Tabley). The longest baseline is therefore 217km and MERLIN can operate at frequencies between 151 MHz and 24 GHz. At a wavelength of 6 cm (5 GHz frequency), MERLIN has a resolution of 40 milliarcseconds which is comparable to that of the HST at optical wavelengths.

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Some of the telescopes are occasionally used for EVN and VLBI observations in order to create an interferometer with even larger baselines, providing images with much greater angular resolution.

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Interferometer: REDIRECT Interferometry...

Radio telescope: In contrast to an "ordinary" telescope, which produces visible light images, a radio telescope "sees" radio waves emitted by radio sources, typically by means of a large parabolic ("dish") antenna, or arrays of them. The first of these was the 9m telescope constructed by Grote Reber in 1937. In the ...

Britain: This article deals with the history of the word Britain. For clarification of terminology and an overview of articles about Britain and Ireland see British Isles (terminology)....

MERLIN related Images and Photos (experimental)

Merlin: The Complete First Season (DVD)	Merlin: The Complete Third Season (DVD)	Merlin: The Complete Second Season (DVD)	Merlin Held Spellbound by Vivien
Merlin Paints the Shield of the Young Knight Vivien	Merlin and Vivian the Fairy Lady of the Lake	British Ships Merlin and Firefly Struck by Russian Infernal Machines	The Misadventures of Merlin Jones 1964