Astronomy
Principles Behind Radio Telescopes and Interferometry
Quick fact
The Event Horizon Telescope, a global network of radio telescopes, used interferometry to create the first direct image of a black hole in 2019, achieving resolution equivalent to reading a newspaper in New York from a café in Paris.
Why this is interesting
Most of the universe is invisible to our eyes—radio waves reveal exploding stars, spinning pulsars, and even the faint glow of the Big Bang. How do astronomers capture these hidden signals with stunning clarity?