The Dish (landmark)
Encyclopedia
The Dish is a radio telescope
in the Stanford
foothills. The 150 feet (45.7 m) dish was built in 1966 by the Stanford Research Institute. The cost to construct the telescope was $4.5 million, and was funded by the United States Air Force
, with the original purpose of studying the chemical composition of the atmosphere
.
Later on, the Dish was used to communicate with satellites and spacecraft. With its unique bistatic range
radio communications, where the transmitter and receiver are separate units, the powerful radar antenna was well-suited for communicating with spacecraft in regions where conventional radio signals may be disrupted.
At one point, the Dish transmitted signals to each of the Voyager
craft that NASA
dispatched into the outer reaches of the solar system. It has also been used to remotely recalibrate ailing satellites orbiting the Earth.
The dish is still actively used today for academic and research purposes.
In 2011, 213 cows lived on the grounds of the Stanford Dish, according to Stanford's real estate office. Stanford leases the land to farmers who own the cows.
Most recently, the university issued a warning in January 2011 after mountain lions tracks were spotted outside the entrance to the Dish at the intersection of Junipero Serra Boulevard
and Campus Drive West. Fresh tracks were seen on dirt trails leading to Lake Lagunita
, on the campus side of Junipero Serra
. The following instructions were given to trail visitors:
Stanford requested that any mountain lions sightings on the Dish or surrounding area be immediately reported to the university police using the U.S. bound telephone number: (650) 329-2413.
Radio telescope
A radio telescope is a form of directional radio antenna used in radio astronomy. The same types of antennas are also used in tracking and collecting data from satellites and space probes...
in the Stanford
Stanford, California
Stanford is a census-designated place in Santa Clara County, California, United States and is the home of Stanford University. The population was 13,809 at the 2010 census....
foothills. The 150 feet (45.7 m) dish was built in 1966 by the Stanford Research Institute. The cost to construct the telescope was $4.5 million, and was funded by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, with the original purpose of studying the chemical composition of the atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
.
Later on, the Dish was used to communicate with satellites and spacecraft. With its unique bistatic range
Bistatic range
Bistatic range refers to the basic measurement of range made by a radar or sonar system with separated transmitter and receiver. The receiver measures the time difference of arrival of the signal from the transmitter directly, and via reflection from the target...
radio communications, where the transmitter and receiver are separate units, the powerful radar antenna was well-suited for communicating with spacecraft in regions where conventional radio signals may be disrupted.
At one point, the Dish transmitted signals to each of the Voyager
Voyager program
The Voyager program is a U.S program that launched two unmanned space missions, scientific probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. They were launched in 1977 to take advantage of a favorable planetary alignment of the late 1970s...
craft that NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
dispatched into the outer reaches of the solar system. It has also been used to remotely recalibrate ailing satellites orbiting the Earth.
Today
Recreational trail
The area around the Dish offers a popular 3.5 mile recreational trail, visited by an average of 1,500–1,800 people daily. The trail around the dish is known for its daunting hills and beautiful views, which on a clear day extend to San Jose, San Francisco, and the East Bay. While hikers, walkers, and runners are welcome, biking and dogs at the dish are not allowed. The opening hours are as per the schedule below, roughly matching daylight hours:| Jan | 6:30 AM–5:00 PM |
| Feb | 6:30 AM–5:30 PM |
| Mar | 6:00 AM–6:30 PM |
| Apr | 6:00 AM–7:30 PM |
| May | 6:00 AM–7:30 PM |
| Jun | 6:00 AM–7:30 PM |
| Jul | 6:00 AM–7:30 PM |
| Aug | 6:00 AM–7:30 PM |
| Sep | 6:30 AM–7:00 PM |
| Oct | 6:30 AM–6:00 PM |
| Nov | 6:30 AM–5:00 PM |
| Dec | 6:30 AM–5:00 PM |
In 2011, 213 cows lived on the grounds of the Stanford Dish, according to Stanford's real estate office. Stanford leases the land to farmers who own the cows.
Mountain lions sightings
A sign at the entrance to the Stanford Dish encourages recreational users to keep an eye out for mountain lions. The area is a known habitat for the large cats, though sightings are extremely rare.Most recently, the university issued a warning in January 2011 after mountain lions tracks were spotted outside the entrance to the Dish at the intersection of Junipero Serra Boulevard
Junipero Serra Boulevard
Junipero Serra Boulevard is a major boulevard in and south of San Francisco. Within the city, it forms part of the route of State Route 1, the shortest connection between Interstate 280 and the Golden Gate Bridge. The remainder, in San Mateo County, has been bypassed or replaced by I-280, the...
and Campus Drive West. Fresh tracks were seen on dirt trails leading to Lake Lagunita
Lake Lagunita
Lake Lagunita is an artificial dry lake in Stanford University, California, located on the western side of the Stanford campus near the Lagunita residences.-Source:...
, on the campus side of Junipero Serra
Junipero Serra Boulevard
Junipero Serra Boulevard is a major boulevard in and south of San Francisco. Within the city, it forms part of the route of State Route 1, the shortest connection between Interstate 280 and the Golden Gate Bridge. The remainder, in San Mateo County, has been bypassed or replaced by I-280, the...
. The following instructions were given to trail visitors:
- If you are a recreational Dish user, you should know that if you see a mountain lion, you should not run or turn your back. Appear larger by waving your arms or a jacket or other objects above your head. Make loud sounds and yell. Grab a stick or rock. Keep young children close. Slowly move away while watching the animal. Attacks are very rare and most frequently the animal will go away. Most importantly, fight back!
Stanford requested that any mountain lions sightings on the Dish or surrounding area be immediately reported to the university police using the U.S. bound telephone number: (650) 329-2413.