The 32-meter telescope antenna weighs 650 tons and was built to survive winds of up to 50 meters per second.
The facility was completely secret during the Soviet era; it was not marked on any maps and was locally referred to as 'The Object'.
The underground concrete tunnel connecting the antenna to the control building is approximately 70 meters long.
The site was used by the Soviet KGB to intercept communications from Western satellites and telephone networks.
VIRAC scientists collaborate with international institutions to map active galactic nuclei and study stellar masers.
The base previously included a residential zone for over 2,000 Soviet personnel, complete with apartments, a school, and a sauna.
During the de-occupation in 1994, Russian troops attempted to destroy the facility by pouring concrete into the gears of the telescope, though it was later successfully restored.
The telescope is part of the European VLBI Network, allowing it to act as a single, massive virtual telescope in conjunction with others across the globe.
The Irbene radio telescope, known officially as the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC), is a decommissioned Cold War-era surveillance site repurposed for deep space research. It houses the RT-32, a 32-meter fully steerable parabolic antenna that stands as one of the largest radio telescopes in Northern Europe. Constructed by the Soviet military in the 1960s to intercept satellite communications, the site was long known as the 'Zvezdochka' (Little Star) listening station. Following the departure of Soviet troops in 1994, the facility was transferred to the Latvian Academy of Sciences and later integrated into Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. Today, the facility remains operational for scientific research including Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and space debris monitoring. The site is situated within the Ances parish, surrounded by dense Latvian forest that initially masked the base's existence. Visitors can tour the technical site to see the massive dish and explore the underground tunnel connecting the telescope to the former military control center. The surrounding area was once a restricted 'ghost town' that has since been partially reclaimed by nature.
The base of the RT-32 dish, which allows for a perspective-distorting photo emphasizing the massive scale of the antenna.
Bring comfortable walking shoes suitable for gravel paths and potentially damp underground tunnel environments.
Check the official Ventspils university portal for guided tour availability, as the technical area is not always open for unguided access.
Prepare for changeable Baltic weather, as the telescope is located in an open, unsheltered field.
Do not attempt to wander into the derelict residential zones of the former military town, as these structures are unstable and restricted.
Tours are subject to seasonal availability; it is recommended to confirm access in advance as scientific operations sometimes restrict visitor entry.
Stay within designated pathways and follow all safety instructions when entering the underground tunnels.
