aperture synthesis

American  

noun

1. (in radio astronomy) a technique that combines the inputs of a set of radio telescopes to obtain a greater resolution of images than is possible with a single member of the set.

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aperture synthesis British  

noun

1. an array of radio telescopes used in radio astronomy to simulate a single large-aperture telescope. Some such instruments use movable dishes while others use fixed dishes

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Etymology

Origin of aperture synthesis

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

His major discovery, aperture synthesis, provided a method of focusing many small, separate radio antennas to fill in the gaps in broad-band radio waves, allowing astronomers to record tiny details, equivalent in terms of optical telescopes to reading a postage stamp on the moon.

From Time Magazine Archive