Listen
to the Universe – radio telescope
Remote
Radio telescope monitoring!
Educational project designed to
involve students in the collection and analysis of natural radio emissions from
Jupiter, milky way, the sun and our galaxy.
People
have looked at the night sky since the very beginning of human existence. Their
view has, however, been limited to the very narrow range of wavelengths that
the eyes are capable of detecting. Imagine what the night sky would look like
if our eyes were sensitive to other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Now you
will have the chance not only to view to universe – but to HAER it as well –
LIVE!
What
can a radio telescope do?
·
Mapping
Mapping is the plotting of radiation intensity
as a function of position. The position is usually noted in the form of right
ascension and declination, a universally accepted coordinate system that is
usable regardless of your position on earth. Mapping allows an astronomer to
determine where in space an emitter exists and, if the resolution is good
enough, it's actual structure.
·
Frequency
While tracking an emitter the wavelength of the
receiver can be altered to allow a plot of intensity against frequency. Every
astronomical object will have it's own distinct plot,
however those within the same class will generally have similar characteristics,
these aid in identification. Analyzing the spectrum can also lead to an
understanding of the physical conditions of the emitter.
·
Variability
In the late 1960's it was shown that the
intensity of most radio sources varied in some way with time. The most
prominent of these time varying emitters were the pulsars, whose radio signals
switched on and off at rapid regular intervals.
Therefore to fully describe an astronomical
object, two positions, a full set of Stokes parameters, it's time - intensity
variation and knowledge of its spectrum are needed. To further complicate
things polarization and apparent position can alter with wavelength.
20.1 MHz
This is the best frequency for
detecting the natural radio emissions from Jupiter. The radio frequency bands
are busy and becoming increasingly more crowded with AM radio stations, FM
radio stations, TV stations, cell phones, pagers, emergency response radios,
shortwave radio stations, etc. Jupiter emits radio waves in a variety of
frequencies but it would be difficult to receive many of the signals because
they would be swamped by radio signals generated here on Earth. The frequency
of 20.1 MHz satisfies these requirements.
Subjects
of Study:
·
Milky way.
·
The sun.
·
Our galaxy.
·
Solar wind.
·
Jupiter's moons.
·
Cosmic background radiation.
·
Meteor showers.
