NARIT News

NARIT Hosts International Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
for the Thai National Radio Observatory (TNRO-ITAC 2026)

6–7 May 2026 — The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), or NARIT, hosted the International Technical Advisory Committee for System Integration & VLBI Development for the Thai National Radio Observatory (TNRO-ITAC 2026) at the Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark, Chiang Mai. The meeting showcased the latest research progress and technological developments in radio astronomy undertaken by NARIT.

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During the meeting, Dr. Wiphu Rujopakarn, Director of NARIT, together with engineers from Center for Radio Astronomy and Engineering (CRAE) and radio astrophysics researchers, presented operational results of the 40-meter National Radio Telescope following its official inauguration, including its first research findings. Updates were also shared on the development of the K-band radio receiver system, advances in the Radio Frequency Laboratory, and the landmark first detection of VLBI fringes from Thailand's second VGOS (VLBI Geodetic Observing System) telescope, located in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, a significant milestone in strengthening Thailand's role within the global radio astronomy network.

The meeting also featured special lectures, including a talk by Prof. Michael Garrett on "Rethinking SETI: From Narrowband Beacons to Broadband Radio Techno Signatures (BRATS)", a presentation by Dr. Gundolf Wieching on "Advancing Frontend and Backend Technologies at MPIfR", and a lecture by Dr. Tasso Tzioumis on "Shaping the Future: Engineering Developments at CSIRO Space and Astronomy". NARIT engineers, researchers, and staff attended the sessions with great interest.

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The committee also visited the Thai National Radio Observatory, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai, where they observed the 40-meter National Radio Telescope and the 13-meter VGOS telescope, as well as the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at Princess Sirindhorn AstroPark, facilitating a close exchange of knowledge and monitoring of Thailand's radio astronomy infrastructure development.

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Members of the International Technical Advisory Committee (TNRO-ITAC)

  1. Prof. Hideyuki Kobayashi, NAOJ, Japan
  2. Dr. Tasso Tzioumis, ATNF, CSIRO, Australia
  3. Prof. Zhi-qiang Shen, SHAO, P.R. China
  4. Prof. Jinling LI, SHAO, P.R. China
  5. Dr. Mareki Honma, NAOJ, Japan
  6. Dr. Gundolf Wieching, MPIfR, Germany
  7. Dr. Kee Tae Kim, KASI, Korea
  8. Dr. Do-Young Byun, KASI, Korea
  9. Dr. Pablo de Vicente, IGN, Spain
  10. Prof. Michael Garrett, JBCA, the University of Manchester, U.K.
  11. Prof. Yashwant Gupta, NCRA-TIFR, India
  12. Assoc. Prof. Agnieszka Stowikowska, JIV-ERIC, Netherlands
  13. Dr. Busaba Kramer, MPIfR, Germany