Gourt > Science > Astronomy > Amateur > Radio Astronomy
Radio astronomy is the study of celestial phenomena through measurement of the characteristics of radio waves emitted by physical processes occurring in space. Radio waves are much longer than light waves. In order to receive good signals, radio astronomy requires large antennas, or arrays of smaller antennas all working together (The Very Large Array near Socorro, New Mexico is an example of this). Most radio telescopes use a parabolic dish to reflect the waves to a receiver which detects and amplifies the signal into usable data. This allows astronomers to see a region of the radio sky. If they take multiple scans of overlaping strips of the sky they can piece together an image ('mosaicing'). Radio astronomy is a relatively new field of astronomical research that still has much more to be discovered.
History
Nikola Tesla in the Colorado Springs lab recorded cosmic waves emitting from interstellar clouds and red giant stars. He observed repeating signals conducted by his transceiver. He announced that he received extraterrestrial radio signals. Tesla stated that he received signals from planets in some of the scientific journals of the time. The scientific community did not believe him, primarily because research of cosmic signals did not exist (what is known today as radio astronomy), and the community of science rejected Tesla's data. Tesla spent the latter part of his life trying to signal Mars. More on [ Radio astronomy ]
Amateur :: Radio
Radio :: Observatories
GeoEye-1 Will Be A High-Res Eye In The Sky
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:29:00 -0400
The GeoEye-1 satellite will be capable of making out details on Earth just 16 inches across. It will be the highest resolution satellite run by a private company; it's images will be marketed to a range of governments and private customers.
Europe Considers Joining Space-Faring Nations
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:35:00 -0400
Europe's space agency reached two milestones earlier this year. A European-built lab was installed at the International Space Station, and Europe launched a robotic cargo vehicle that successfully docked with the station. The European Space Agency is thinking about converting the vehicle so it could take astronauts into orbit.
Tensions With Russia May Hurt NASA Program
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:18:00 -0400
The conflict with Russia over Georgia might affect NASA's ability to get astronauts to the international space station after the space shuttle gets retired in 2010. Congress must pass a special waiver by Sept. 30 so NASA can buy Soyuz capsule flights.
What Makes Our Solar System Special?
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:02:00 -0400
Researchers say that if the conditions had been slightly different for our solar system, planets could have careened into the sun or been expelled into deep space. Also: A volunteer astronomer spots a strange gaseous object some are calling a "cosmic ghost."
Phoenix Finds A Salt Compound On Mars
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:07:00 -0400
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected a salt found on Earth on the surface of Mars. The salt, called perchlorate, is used in fireworks and rocket fuel. The news follows the recent confirmation of the presence of water on the Red Planet.
Space Company Hopes To Cut Cost Of Launches
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:44:00 -0400
A private company called SpaceX has failed three times to reach orbit with one of its rockets. But the company says it's learning from its failures and still hopes to radically decrease the cost of putting objects in space.
Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers - Dedicated enthusiasts who teach, learn, trade technical information, and do observations of the radio sky.
Meta Description: [ Website of the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers, Inc., a membership-supported, nonprofit [501(c)(3)] educational and scientific corporation. ]
Community Development Institute - A non-profit organization dedicated to the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence. Located in Brisbane, Australia.
Amateur Radio Astronomy - Construction of the antenna, system descriptions, objectives, typical results, and references.
Meta Description: [ 1420 Mhz Radio Astronomy Project ]
Amateur SETI - Equipment information with images, software and manual, formulas, javascript calculator, readings, sample data plots, glossary, and links.
Amateur SETI - Project BAMBI - Design, construction, and initial observational results of a 4-GHz amateur radio telescope with circuit board layouts, software, and schematics.
Basics of Radio Astronomy - Workbook developed to support training for the Goldstone-Apple Valley Radio Telescope, but can be applied to all.
Big Ear Radio Observatory - No longer in operation, and includes a beginner's guide, facility and equipment information, press releases, and slide shows.
Meta Description: [ This Kraus-type radio telescope,
larger than three football fields, was famous for the Wow! Signal and
for the longest-running SETI project. ]
EME, SETI, Radio Astronomy, DSP, and Radio Amateurs - Dedicated to building bridges between amateur groups and the promotion and preservation of weaksignal communication.
John Mckay's Astronomy Website - Radio telescope project with diagram and graphs.
Meta Description: [ An amateur radio telescope in the Yorkshire Dales. The telescope will be fully steerable when completed. ]
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JupiterRadio - Dedicated to observing and analyzing natural decametric radio emissions from Jupiter and the sun.
Meta Description: [ Jupiter Radio Astronomy - Information about Planetary Radio Emissions and the RadioJOVE Jupiter Radio Telescope ]
Multi-SETI@Home Monitor - Graphical add-on package to monitor activity that may be running on multiple computers over a network or multiple instances on the same computer.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - Current events, public outreach, very large array, VLA expansion project, and very long baseline array.
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute - Dedicated to providing research and educational access to radio and optical astronomy for a broad cross-section of users.
Meta Description: [ Where Science Excites the Imagination. ]
Radio Astronomy - How to start, audio and sound files, projects, and basic equipment information.
Meta Description: [ Menu - Radioastronomy ]
Radio-Sky Publishing - Provides software (some free), books, and hands-on projects within areas of Jupiter, the Sun, Pulsars, and other areas.
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SCSU Radio Astronomy - Reports progress on their small-dish projects with resource links.
The European Radio Astronomy Club - Observations, workshop, groups, telescopes and images, and radar links.
Meta Description: [ Web site of ERAC - The European Radio Astronomy Club which was founded as a nonprofit
making organization who's aim it is to coordinate individuals and groups together
with scientific research establishment to aid in research of Radio Astronomy ]
United Kingdom Amateur Radio Astronomy Network - Amateur radio astronomy mainly for, but not limited to, the United Kingdom, providing information for beginners, project ideas, articles, and downloadable archive material.
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