History
Radio astronomy in Malaysia was started in 2005 by Dr. Zamri Zainal Abidin and Dr. Zainol Abidin Ibrahim. They initiated the group of Radio Cosmology Research Laboratory in Universiti Malaya as the first radio astronomy working group in Malaysia. They believe that radio astronomy is crucial in giving a lot of contribution to theoretical astrophysics work especially in cosmology. Fundamental setup and some basic research were done in the early parts.
2005 - 2006
Jupiter Radio Storm and Meteor
In 2005, radio astronomy research in Malaysia began with the setup of the basic dipole antenna system in order to detect the strongest natural radio source in the Solar System other than the Sun i.e. Jupiter. Using the basic radio receiver, meteor counting was also done. Current collaboration with the International Meteor Scatter Network enables data to be compared among the wider world of meteor counting. Success in these small projects lead to successful application for local grants and a few more important instruments were purchased.
2007
Collaboration with JBCA (UK)
The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (JBCA) at the University of Manchester is among the largest astrophysics groups in the UK. It includes the Jodrell Bank Observatory, the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, and the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre. The centre was formed after the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST which brought the two astronomy groups together. JBCA was one of the earliest collaborators that influenced the formation of the lab.
UMRT-1 (1.5 m); UM
The first Malaysian single dish radio telescope was installed on the roof of our laboratory in Universiti Malaya. The 1.5-meter radio telescope, named Universiti Malaya Radio Telescope 1 (UMRT-1) was built using parts purchased separately. This system is currently used to monitor Solar Radio Bursts.
2008
SEAAN WG RA
The joint goal with South East Asia Astronomy Network Working Group Radio Astronomy is to establish effective mechanism for nurturing and sharing the development and experiences in astronomy research and education among South East Asian countries. This includes sharing in knowledge such as dark matter, OH masers, pulsars, and black holes.
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
Radio astronomy observations are increasingly contaminated by human-made Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). This study was conducted to identify locations with lowest RFI in Malaysia for building radio telescopes in the future. These locations (Jelebu, Tanjung Malim, and Kuala Tembeling) are referred to as Radio Quiet Zones (RQZ) and Radio Notification Zones (RNZ).
UMRT-2 (2.3 m); UM
A complete set of a 2.3-meter radio telescope system (UMRT-2) was purchased from the US and it is currently used to observe strong Galactic and Extragalactic radio sources. UMRT-2 is a fully-steerable system and is capable of performing spectrum and image observations. Its radiometer has a typical system temperature of 150 K with preamp frequency range of 1400 - 1440 MHz. Its objectives are to study galaxy clusters and study Dark Matter properties of these objects. Coma and Leo clusters were identified as the best candidates for this project.
2010 - 2011
Dark Matter Study with SISSA (Italy) and JBO (UK)
Effects of dark matter can be see in the rotation curves of galaxies and in intergalactic space in galaxy clusters. For the rotation curves of galaxies, the lab started its collaboration with Professor Dr Paolo Salucci and the then PhD student, Norsiah Hashim with the collaboration with the International School for Advanced Studies or Scuola Internazionale Superiore do Studi Avanzanti (SISSA), Italyt. For intergalactic dark matter in galaxy clusters, the lab started a collaboration with the Jodrell Bank Observatory (JBO), UK via the use of their 7-meter radio telescope with Dr Christian Jordan, Professor Dr Peter Thomasson and Professor Dr Richard Battye.
UMRT-3 (3 m); INSTUN
The 3.0-meter radio telescope was installed at the National Land and Survey Institute (INSTUN), Behrang. The telescope was installed there due to RFI survey results, low population density, shielded by mountains and well power supply. The Small Radio Telscope (SRT) was purchased from the Haystack Observatory using a University Malaya research grant.
2012
Space Weather with e-CALLISTO
The Compound Astronomical Low-cost Low-frequency Instrument for Spectroscopy and Transportable Observatory (CALLISTO) is a programmable heterodyne receiver designed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ), Switzerland. The instrument is useful for observations of solar flares and CME, and its small cost and size allows it to be easily set up. The founder and creator of the CALLISTO system visited UM and the solar radio astronomy research in Malaysia was hence started with its first PhD student, Zety Sharizat Hamidi.
Collaboration with ICRAR (Australia)
The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is an international centre of excellence in astronomical science and technology based in Perth, Western Australia launched in August 2009 as a joint venture between Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. This collaboration involves galaxy cluster research, as well as preparation for being a part of the Asia-Oceania Interferometer Network involving China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This collaboration with ICRAR enabled the first efforts in building the lab's first VLBI observatory station. Main collaboratos from ICRAR are Professor Dr Steven Tingay, Dr John Morgan and Dr Cormac Reynolds
2013
Collaboration with NCU (Taiwan)
The National Central University (NCU) in Taiwan is the one of the top public research university in Taiwan founded in 1915. The collaboration between the lab and their Graduate Institute of Astronomy focuses on astroparticle physics and dark matter. Main collaborator is Professor Dr Hwang Chorng Yuan. This joint-research was started with the first students from this lab in the topic of Dark Matter candidate research, Kiew Ching Yee, and in the topic of elliptical and spiral galaxies evolution, Norhidayah Mohd Ali.
Collaboration with CSIRO (Australia)
This is a continuation from the ICRAR collaboration where the joint-research is extended to other researchers like Dr Tasso Tzioumis and Dr Chris Phillips for RFI and VLBI station set up.
Collaboration with AUT (New Zealand)
This collaboration initiated joint-research with Tim Natusch after recommendations from Professor Dr Peter Thomasson of JBCA. Visits were made to the Warkworth Observatory. The first student from this collaboration is Mohd Shaiful Rizal Hassan, which started with galaxy clusters research.
Collaboration with NAOC, YNAO, XAO (China)
The National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC) with Yunnan Observatory (YNAO) and Xinjiang Astronomy (XAO) Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) collaborated with the lab under an MOU for the development of radio astronomical research. This includes the construction of a radio telescope and a space geodesy station to improve VLBI performance with a larger baseline. Main collaborators from NAOC are Professor Dr Ping Jinsong and Professor Dr Han Jinling, as well as collaborators from XAO (Professor Jarken Esimbek) and YNAO (Dr Dong Liang and Professor Dr Min Wang).
2014
UPSI-UM 7.3 m Radio Telescope (See Instruments tab)
2016 - 2019
Collaboration with NRIAG (Egypt)
The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) is one of the oldest research institutes in North Africa. The collaboration with the lab focuses on geophysics, specifically on the Earth-Sun links in seismic activity using the RDF. Main collaborator is Professor Dr Taha Rabeh.
Collaboration with SUT (Thailand)
Joint-research was established with Dr Nuanwan Sanguansak. Main topic is RFI in tropical countries.
Collaboration with EAO (Hawaii, US)
The East Asian Observatory (EAO) operates the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), a 15-meter single dish radio telescope operating at (sub-)mm wavelengths on top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Through this collaboration, UM has signed an MOU that establishes UM as contact organisation and Assoc Prof Dr Zamri as contact person for EAO that recognises Malaysia as an official observer for this observatory. This also initiated the formation of MEASOOC.
Collaboration with XMUM
Collaboration with Ibaraki University (Japan)
Collaboration with Shandong University (China)
1st Malaysia VLBI Workshop (See Events tab)
2020
Observer Status with EAO (Hawaii, US)
With an observer status in the EAO, Malaysian scientists and students have access to the JCMT data and can participate in its large program. The JCMT is used to study evolved stars, cold gas in galaxies, dust, black holes, and much more.
Nancay Radio Heliograph Data Reduction Workshop (See Events tab)
CASA Pipeline for ALMA Data Workshop (See Events tab)
EAO/JCMT Virtual Workshop
This virtual workshop training event intends to familiarize potential JCMT users with all aspects of JCMT use, including basic orientation, instrumental and scientific capabilities, proposal preparation, project preparation and execution and data reduction and analysis. The workshop involves participants from selected institutions based in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
2021
Dr. Juan Carlos Algaba as first author on EHT research paper
Dr. Juan Carlos Algaba Marcos was the first author for the research paper under the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. The paper was regarding the violent jets from the M87 supermassive black hole.