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27 August 2004 Radio astronomy Part 2. Spinoffs, discoveries and resources Jeffrey M. Lichtman
In Part 1, I covered the basics of radio astronomy. Here we will look at some radio spinoffs and discoveries. I will also cover some resources for amateur radio observers. Spinoffs of radio astronomy Technological advances in radio astronomy have enhanced existing technology and ushered in new ideas and technology in other fields, all while contributing to what we know about the universe. Here are some examples of technologies that have been influenced in some way by radio astronomy:
Notable radio astronomy discoveries
While contributing to technology, radio astronomy has made some remarkable discoveries. One such discovery is the pulsar. In 1967, Jocelyn Bell, a doctoral student at Cambridge
University detected some sporadic pulses while doing some observations.
She at first suspected terrestrial interference. But after recalibrating
the receiver, the This signals reappeared on observing records for quite
some time. They were even given the name LGM (Little Green Men). Further
investigation showed a movement of one degree each day, which suggested
a source in outer space. This radio source became CP1919 in the Cambridge
catalog.
Another major radio astronomy discovery was the 3 K (7 cm) microwave background radiation from the expansion of the universe. This was discovered by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson of Bell Labs. Other radio astronomy discoveries include many radio galaxies, 21-cm hydrogen emission, hydrocarbon molecules in protostellar clouds and SETI research. More information about radio astronomy discoveries can be found at the web site of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). For example, here is a recent NRAO news release: Radio Astronomers lift "fog" on Milky Way's dark heart Dave Finley, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 01 April 2004. BERKELEY – Thirty years after astronomers discovered the mysterious object at the exact center of our Milky Way Galaxy, an international team of scientists has finally succeeded in directly measuring the size of that object, which surrounds a black hole nearly four million times more massive than the Sun. This is the closest telescopic approach to a black hole so far and puts a major frontier of astrophysics within reach of future observations. The scientists used the National Science Foundation's Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio telescope to make the breakthrough. The Very Long Baseline Array, part of the National Radio
Astronomy Observatory, is a continent-wide radio-telescope system, with
10, 240-ton dish antennas ranging from Hawaii to the Caribbean. It provides
the greatest resolving power, or ability to see fine detail, of any telescope
in astronomy, on Earth or in space. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory
is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative
agreement by Associated Universities, Inc. The amateur effort: Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) is an international society of dedicated enthusiasts who mentor, trade technical information, and do their own observations of the radio sky. SARA is a scientific, non-profit organization founded for the sole purpose of supporting amateur radio astronomy. SARA was founded in 1981 by Jeffrey M. Lichtman. It's co-founder was Lt. Col. R. W. P. Patterson (U.S. Army, Ret). Today SARA has hundreds of members worldwide. The group consists of optical astronomers, ham radio operators, engineers, teachers and non-technical persons. Many of our members are new to the field, and membership is extended to all who have an interest in radio astronomy.
SARA is very involved in the education and mentoring of those interested in radio astronomy. Over the years, many enthusiasts have received guidance and training in this discipline. If you would like to learn more and need a mentor, click here. SARA has active mentors in many parts of the United States and also some foreign countries. For special requests about SARA, please contact me at jmlras@mindspring.com. I will be happy to entertain your requests. Radio astronomy information sources Photo
Gallery (NASA) Basics
of Radio Astronomy (Free Workbook) Society of Amateur
Radio Astronomers SETI League National Radio Astronomy
Observatory Arecibo Radio Observatory Jodrell Bank Radio
Observatory Acknowledgments Dr. Edwin V. Bell, II, NASA |
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