VIRAC

Somewhere between Ventspils and Kolka cape  in Latvia (ex-Soviet country) is located two radio telescopes (also known as  “zvjozdachka” – the star), that in those days were one of most secret elements  in soviet army. There are two antennas left – RT-32 (main dish is 32 meters in  diameter) and RT-16 (16 meters). The smallest one – RT-10 – was taken away when  soviet soldiers left Latvia in 90-ies. With those antennas Russian forces were able to spy phone calls everywhere they wanted. When entering the complex (area  – 200 ha), first you can see abondend city where soviet army forces and scientists used to live. All of that was so secret that even Latvian soldiers  and scientists were shocked when they saw what has been here all the time (in fact, all Northern and costal part of Kurzeme was strictly no inhabitants zone).  Back in 1993, when Soviet forces were preparing to leave Latvia, they wanted to  blow up all those buildings (what can’t be their, can’t be anybody’s). Although,  because of last minute call from Russian Academy of Sciences and international  astronomers, they just demolished them – Latvia’s scientists received RT-32 and  RT-16 with nails hammered into wires, with acid poured on main system parts and  with no plans how to start up this equipment. Interessting, that all damage was  made after plan – believing that Soviets will come back someday. In less than 20  years Latvians managed to repair all this and replace all the equipment with  modern PC so that foreign scientists can come and work. But it has a downside –  now tourists aren’t allowed to go inside there. Nowadays RT-32 is used for  science. Because of it’s precision (it’s one of most precise radio telescopes in  world), it can be used to listen signals from space. The most furthern  constellation that was received was Swan’s constellation – 500 million light  years away. The RT-16 is being renovated and it will be used for young  scientists from Ventspils University that will monitor their sattelite that they  are preparing to put into space. Back in soviet times all three antennas were  connected with underground paths. Nowadays there are not in use but they still  are there. Tourists are not allowed to view them. One thing learned very quickly about Latvia, even if you're not supposed to be there, show an interest and before you know it you're being given a 'tour'. I stood in the dish of this thing!!