Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory

In the science town of Taeduk, part of Daejeon, South Korea, the Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory listens to the sky rather than looking at it, tuning into millimetre-wave signals invisible to the eye.

About Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory

Known as TRAO for short, the observatory is owned and operated by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI). It opened in October 1986, becoming one of KASI's main facilities and marking the start of a new era of millimetre-wave radio astronomy in Korea.

Telescopes & research

TRAO's main instrument is a 13.7-metre radio telescope fitted with a single-horn receiver system, observing at frequencies of 86-115 GHz — a wavelength of around 3mm. That range lets astronomers study cold gas and dust in space that's invisible to optical telescopes, work that has kept TRAO relevant since its founding.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at around 109 metres elevation in Daejeon's science town of Taeduk, one of South Korea's main hubs for scientific research institutions.

Visiting Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory

As a working research facility focused on radio astronomy, TRAO isn't primarily set up as a visitor attraction. Check KASI's website for any current outreach programmes or visiting arrangements before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

A radio telescope tuned to millimetre waves is a reminder that there's more to the sky than what we can see — though your named star is very much visible. Name a star with Star Register, find its coordinates in our star catalogue, and compare them with the skies TRAO has studied since 1986.