Radioastronomy and radiointerferometry on the "Hidden" lunar surface

Radioastronomy and radiointerferometry operations below 20-30 MHz are sever ely hampered on the Earth surface by a number of reasons. The main two are the existence of the ionosphere acting as a rejecting filter for frequencie s lower than about 20 MHz, and the presence in that spectral region of a st rong electromagnetic pollution due to man-made activities (communications, broadcasting and radio frequency heating). Relevant advantages may be reached transferring those scientific investigat ions on the Moon and mostly on its "far side''. The paper presents these advantages and outlines some possible solutions. Three components are presented; the first one refers to the antenna and the antennae array to be realised on the hidden lunar surface. The second one deals with the receiver-transmitter to be deployed at each antenna with the needed synchronisation system since the phase must be preserved. The last one suggests some possible links needed to connect the lunar network to a d ata-collecting network, or to another interferometric station, space borne or on the Earth. The paper reflects the results of a thesis discussed at Po litecnico di Torino.