RADIO PHYSICS AND RADIO ASTRONOMY

Subject and Purpose. The article is devoted to the birth and seventy years of successful development of low-frequency radio astronomy in Ukraine. This activity was started in the mid-50s of the prior century by the outstanding Ukrainian scientist Academician Semen Yakovych Braude with the maximum support of the also unique personality of the President of the NAS of Ukraine Boris Yevgenovych Paton. The creation of the world’s largest low-frequency radio telescopes and interferometers UTR-2 and URAN, the birth of a galaxy of outstanding scientists and a widely known radio astronomy school proved the highest world level of domestic physical, mathematical and technical sciences. The purpose of the work is a historical and scientific review of low-frequency radio astronomy in Ukraine and the income of S.Ya. Braude in its foundation.

Methods and Methodology. All stages of the creation of domestic experimental base of radio astronomy on decameter-me- ter waves are analyzed in comparison with world experience. The astrophysical advantages of low-frequency radio astronomy, methodological difficulties of observations in this range and means of overcoming them are revealed. This is done on the example of the creation and use for 70 years of radio telescopes UTR-2, URAN, GURT.

Results. The world’s largest low-frequency radio telescopes have been created, which are the national scientific heritage of the country. Constant innovative modernization of observation tools and methods has allowed us to obtain a large number of priority results recognized by the international community, and has made the contribution of Ukrainian scientists an import- ant component of complex highly sensitive radio astronomy research.

Conclusions. For 70 years, low-frequency radio astronomy has been a priority area of research at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The scientific school created by the outstanding scientist, Academician S.Ya. Braude, is a significant con- tribution to domestic astrophysical science. Despite the hostile aggression in recent years, research continues and yields new results. There is no doubt about the post-war restoration of UTR-2 — the best monument to the outstanding radio astronomer S.Ya. Braude, and the further integration of Ukraine into the world scientific space.

Keywords: radio astronomy, decameter range, radio telescope, phased array antenna, phasing system, digital and analog receiving equipment

Manuscript submitted 15.04.2026

Radio phys. radio astron. 2026, 31(2): 075-097

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