However, Reber read Jansky's work in the
Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers journal and was determined to continue his work. He first needed to build a telescope capable of detecting cosmic radio waves. In the midst of the Great Depression, Reber was unable to garner academic or financial support for his project. Astronomers were not familiar with radio technology and were still absorbed with visual inspections of the universe. Reber was not discouraged by this lack of enthusiasm and was determined to work on the project alone.
Built First Radio Telescope
Reber drew up plans to build a large parabolic reflector to collect radio waves and feed them into a radio receiver. He presented his plans to the American Bridge Company, which quoted him a price of $7,000 to build the telescope. Since this price was not affordable to Reber, he decided to construct the device himself. With the help of two friends, Reber built a reflector out of galvanized sheet metal and wooden rafters. The mirror was 31 feet in diameter with a focal length of 20 feet.
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