The Itty Bitty Telescope and Sidewalk Radio Astronomy

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The Itty Bitty Telescope andSidewalk Radio
Astronomy

• Sue Ann Heatherly
• National Radio Astronomy Observatory
• www.nrao.edu

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What is radio astronomy?
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Radio Waves are NOT sound!
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A light wave is a light wave, no matter how
long...
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Radio Telescope
Optical Telescope
Nowadays, there are more similarities between
optical and radio telescopes than ever before.
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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 Tour of the Radio Sky
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Gas Spectra
Neon
Sodium
Hydrogen
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Building an Itty Bitty Telescope
GBT IBT
David Fields with kids in Memphis
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RV Kit--60 from Ebay
12 GHz satellite dish combined with a signal
meter becomes a radio telescope!
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Constructing the dish
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Realigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeve
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Realigning the mounting sleeve
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Mounting Sleeve Schematic
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Mounting the Dish
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Mounting the Dish
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Mounting the Dish
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Mounting the Dish
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Mounting the Dish
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Finishing Up
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Finishing Up
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Finishing Up
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Finishing Up
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Finishing Up
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Finishing Up
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Detectors
produce an audible tone which increases in pitch
when you detect radio signals.
Most expensive (99). Has built in battery.
Mid-priced (50), needs a power supply.
Cheapie! (15), needs a power supply.
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Making the power supply
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Preparing the Coax
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Preparing the Coax
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Preparing the Coax
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Preparing the Coax
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Preparing the Coax
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Preparing the Coax
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Assembling the battery pack
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Battery Pack Schematic
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Done!Using the IBT
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The Sun emits radio waves!
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The Sun emits radio waves!
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You emit radio waves!
Play cheapsigmeter2.wav
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Geostationary satellites ( Can you find 0 dec?)
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Trees (the ground, buildings, anything with a
temperature) emit radio waves!
Play channel.wav
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Questions?sheather_at_nrao.edu