Itty Bitty Telescope vs the Green Bank
Telescope
NRAO Robert C. Byrd Telescope Green Bank, WV
Itty Bitty Telescope In Front of the North Carolina Museum of Natural
Sciences and State Capitol
Mark Gibson and the Itty Bitty Telescope
What
produces radio waves?
EVERYTHING!
Goal: Introduce students to
Radio Astronomy with the Itty Bitty Demo
1.
Discuss the concept of energy and our main energy source.
2.
Illustrate the electromagnetic spectrum
3.
Compare the size of wavelengths used to define the spectrum with everyday
objects
4.
Describe thermal emission and predict sources of thermal emission
5.
Detect source of thermal emission with the Itty Bitty
BENEFITS OF OBSERVING IN THE RADIO
·
Track physical processes with no
signature at other wavelengths
·
Radio waves can travel through dusty
regions
·
Can provide information on magnetic
field strength and orientation
·
Can provide information on
line-of-sight velocities
·
Daytime observing (for cm-scale
wavelengths anyway)
FACTS ABOUT THE ITTY
BITTY TELESCOPE
1.
This is a 12,000 MHz radio telescope.
2.
It can detect frequencies in the range of 12,200 to 12,700 MHz.
3.
It is not a radio telescope system that can be used for serious sky
surveys.
4.
It can detect the Sun.
5.
It can detect the body radiation.
6.
It can detect 300 deg K tree branches.
7.
Using the gain adjustor set it to 0 when pointed to cold sky. It should
register 1/2 scale for human radiation or 300 deg K, and full scale on the Sun.
Inside the Student 40' Control Room
This is how the Green Bank Telescope Works
To schedule a live demonstration of the ITB email or for more information
email:
markg@unwantedemissions.com
Radio Astronomy Links
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Science The Quiet Zone
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U.S. Radio Astronomy Observatories
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