Post on 17-Dec-2015
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The Itty Bitty Telescope andThe Itty Bitty Telescope andSidewalk Radio AstronomySidewalk Radio Astronomy
Sue Ann HeatherlyNational Radio Astronomy Observatory
www.nrao.edu
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What is radio astronomy?What is radio astronomy?
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Radio Waves are NOT Radio Waves are NOT sound!sound!
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A light wave is a light wave, no matter A light wave is a light wave, no matter how long...how long...
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Radio TelescopeRadio Telescope
Optical TelescopeOptical Telescope
Nowadays, there are more Nowadays, there are more similarities between optical similarities between optical and radio telescopes than and radio telescopes than ever before.ever before.
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Optical and radio astronomy can be done from the ground!Optical and radio astronomy can be done from the ground!
Credit: Windows to the Universe, thence to NASA/STSCI/JHU
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A A Tour Tour of the of the Radio Radio SkySky
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Gas Spectra
Neon
Sodium
Hydrogen
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Building an Building an Itty Bitty TelescopeItty Bitty Telescope
GBTGBTIBTIBT
David Fields with kids in MemphisDavid Fields with kids in Memphis
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RV Kit--$60 from EbayRV Kit--$60 from Ebay
12 GHz satellite dish combined with a signal meter 12 GHz satellite dish combined with a signal meter becomes a radio telescope!becomes a radio telescope!
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Constructing the dishConstructing the dish
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Realigning the mounting sleeveRealigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeveRealigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeveRealigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeveRealigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeveRealigning the mounting sleeve
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Mounting Sleeve SchematicMounting Sleeve Schematic
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Mounting the DishMounting the Dish
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Mounting the DishMounting the Dish
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Mounting the DishMounting the Dish
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Mounting the DishMounting the Dish
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Mounting the DishMounting the Dish
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Finishing UpFinishing Up
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Finishing UpFinishing Up
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Finishing UpFinishing Up
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Finishing UpFinishing Up
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Finishing UpFinishing Up
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Finishing UpFinishing Up
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DetectorsDetectorsproduce an audible tone which increasesproduce an audible tone which increases
in pitch when you detect radio signals.in pitch when you detect radio signals.
Most expensive ($99). Has built Most expensive ($99). Has built in battery.in battery.
Mid-priced ($50), needs a power Mid-priced ($50), needs a power supply.supply.
Cheapie! ($15), needs a power Cheapie! ($15), needs a power supply.supply.
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Making the power supplyMaking the power supply
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Preparing the CoaxPreparing the Coax
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Preparing the CoaxPreparing the Coax
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Preparing the CoaxPreparing the Coax
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Preparing the CoaxPreparing the Coax
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Preparing the CoaxPreparing the Coax
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Preparing the CoaxPreparing the Coax
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery packAssembling the battery pack
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Battery Pack SchematicBattery Pack Schematic
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Done!Done!
Using Using the the IBTIBT
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The Sun emits radio waves!The Sun emits radio waves!
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The Sun emits radio waves!The Sun emits radio waves!
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You emit radio waves!You emit radio waves!
Play “cheapsigmeter2.wavPlay “cheapsigmeter2.wav
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Geostationary satellites ( Can you find 0Geostationary satellites ( Can you find 0° dec?)° dec?)
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Trees (the ground, buildings, anything with a Trees (the ground, buildings, anything with a temperature) emit radio waves!temperature) emit radio waves!
Play channel.wavPlay channel.wav
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Questions?Questions?
sheather@nrao.edu