The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy from edX

The first part of the course introduces the different types of telescope technologies available to astronomers, with a particular focus on single-dish radio telescopes and radio interferometers. Optical, UV, X-ray, Gamma, neutrino, and gravitational wave telescopes will also be briefly covered, as well as a foray into Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.

We, then, dive deep into the principles of observational radio astronomy, covering the observables (flux, luminosity, brightness temperature), and the instrumentation (the radiometer equation, sensitivity calculations). Next, we describe various radio telescope technologies, as well as time-domain radio astronomy (pulsars, transients, Fast Radio Bursts). Finally, we look at different radio astronomy observatories around the world and compare their capabilities.

The rest of the course is dedicated to radio interferometric imaging. We introduce the Fourier transform and the van Cittert-Zernike theorem, and discuss the principles of aperture synthesis imaging (visibilities, sampling, point spread functions, deconvolution). We drill down into the radio-interferometer measurement equation (RIME), and use that to derive the principles of interferometric calibration and self-calibration. We also look at practical data reduction techniques, covering data inspection, flagging, basic calibration, and imaging, as well as the practical details of writing observational proposals.

The course includes a discussion of the future Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, its challenges, and projected scientific capabilities.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Types of telescopes across the electromagnetic spectrum
Single-dish radio telescopes and radio interferometers
Basics of neutrino and gravitational wave astronomy
Basics of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence
Fundamental radio astronomy observables
Principles of radio telescopes, radiometer equation
Diversity of radio telescope technologies and observatories

Observing pulsars, transients, and other time-domain radio astronomy
Principles of aperture synthesis imaging; fourier theory
Visibility function, sampling, psf, deconvolution
The radio interferometer measurement equation (rime)
Calibration and self-calibration of radio interferometers
Practical data reduction, calibration, and imaging
Developing observational proposals for radio observatories

Types of telescopes across the electromagnetic spectrum
Single-dish radio telescopes and radio interferometers
Basics of neutrino and gravitational wave astronomy
Basics of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence
Fundamental radio astronomy observables
Principles of radio telescopes, radiometer equation
Diversity of radio telescope technologies and observatories
Observing pulsars, transients, and other time-domain radio astronomy
Principles of aperture synthesis imaging; fourier theory
Visibility function, sampling, psf, deconvolution
The radio interferometer measurement equation (rime)
Calibration and self-calibration of radio interferometers
Practical data reduction, calibration, and imaging
Developing observational proposals for radio observatories

Syllabus

Week 1: Study of the telescope technology, focusing on optical and radio telescopes - first part.

Week 2: Study of the telescope technology, focusing on optical and radio telescopes - second part.

Week 3: Introduction to observational radio astronomy, analyzing the main units of measure and the radio telescope principles.

Week 4: Presentation of the ground rules of imaging using an interferometric array. Study of the Fourier transform, the sampling, and the van Cittert Zernike theorem.

Week 5: Examination of the cycle of radio interferometric data, from visibilities to images - first part.

Week 6: Examination of the cycle of radio interferometric data, from visibilities to images - second part.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces general knowledge of radio astronomy and telescope technology that would be useful to students of astronomy, physics or computer science

Develops basic knowledge and competence in observational radio astronomy techniques and data analysis methods, which would be useful for students of astronomy and related fields

Teaches foundational theory and techniques in radio astronomy, which would be relevant to professional astronomers and researchers

Provides a comprehensive overview of radio astronomy and its applications, which would be useful for anyone interested in the field

Exposes learners to current and emerging research in the field through guest lectures from leading researchers

Requires students to have a strong background in physics and mathematics, which may not be accessible to all learners

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy with these activities:

Review radio telescope technologies

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Prepare yourself for learning the more complex material in this course.

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Recall your understanding of telescope technologies
Summarize the principles of radio telescopes and radio interferometers
Differentiate between optical, UV, X-ray, Gamma, neutrino, and gravitational wave telescopes
Review the basics of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

Review the Mathematics of Fourier

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Familiarize yourself with the mathematical concepts behind Fourier transforms before starting the course to better prepare yourself for understanding aperture synthesis imaging later on.

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Review Fourier Series
Study Fourier Integral
Practice with sample problems and datasets

Participate in a Study Group

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Enhance your understanding by joining a study group where you can discuss course concepts, solve problems together, and learn from your peers' perspectives.

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Find or form a study group with other students
Meet regularly to discuss course materials, assignments, and projects
Share knowledge, ideas, and support each other's learning

Nine other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 12 activities

Explore UpToDate for Radio Astronomy Tutorials

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Become acquainted with single-dish radio telescopes, radio interferometers, as well as the observational principles of radio astronomy.

Browse courses on Radio Astronomy

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Create an UpToDate account.
Locate the 'Radio Astronomy' section.
Explore the available tutorials and select those relevant to your interests and knowledge gaps.
Follow the tutorials and complete the associated exercises.

Solve Sample Problems on Radio Astronomy Observables

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Practice working with fundamental radio astronomy observables like flux, luminosity, and brightness temperature to improve your understanding of how they influence observations.

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Identify different types of observables and their units
Practice converting between different units of measurement
Interpret the physical meaning of observables

Explore the VLA Tutorial

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Gain practical insights into radio telescope operations and data reduction techniques by exploring the Very Large Array tutorial.

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Access the VLA Tutorial online
Follow the tutorial sections on observing and data reduction
Experiment with the online data viewer to visualize real-world observations

Develop an Infographic on Radio Telescope Technologies

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Reinforce your understanding of the principles and diversity of radio telescope technologies by designing an infographic.

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Research different radio telescope technologies.
Create a visual representation of each technology, showcasing its key features.
Organize the infographics in a logical and visually appealing manner.
Consider including comparisons between technologies and highlighting their specific applications.

Solve Practice Problems on Radio Interferometry

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Sharpen your understanding of radio interferometry principles and techniques through solving practice problems.

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Solve the problems, showing all your work and reasoning.
Review your solutions and identify areas where you need further clarification or practice.
Seek assistance from online forums or your instructor if necessary.

Complete the CASA Tutorials

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Familiarize yourself with CASA, a powerful software package for radio astronomy data processing, by completing its comprehensive tutorials.

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Install CASA on your computer
Follow the CASA tutorials on data importation, calibration, imaging, and analysis
Practice using CASA to process real-world radio astronomy data

Write a Summary of Radio Interferometric Imaging

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Solidify your understanding of radio interferometric imaging by creating a detailed summary that explains the process and its applications in astronomy.

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Research the principles of interferometry and image reconstruction
Identify key concepts and equations involved in the process
Write a comprehensive summary explaining the steps and applications of radio interferometric imaging
Share your summary with peers for feedback and discussion

Simulate Radio Telescope Data

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Enhance your understanding of radio interferometric data by simulating and analyzing synthetic observations, helping you grasp the challenges and techniques involved in real-world data processing.

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Learn about radio telescope data formats and simulation tools
Generate simulated data for different astronomical sources and observing scenarios
Analyze and process the simulated data using standard techniques
Interpret the results and draw meaningful conclusions

Develop a Research Proposal for Radio Astronomy Observations

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Deepen your understanding of the scientific process and apply course concepts by drafting a research proposal for radio astronomy observations.

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Identify a research question and develop a hypothesis
Review scientific literature and identify relevant observations
Design an observing strategy and select appropriate radio telescopes
Estimate observing time and data analysis requirements
Write a compelling proposal and submit it for review

Career center

Learners who complete The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Astrophysicist

An astrophysicist studies the physical properties of celestial objects and the laws that govern them. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for an astrophysicist as it would provide them with the knowledge and skills to use radio telescopes to study the physical properties of celestial objects. This course would be particularly relevant to astrophysicists who are interested in studying the radio sky, which includes objects such as stars, galaxies, and quasars.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astrophysicist

Research Scientist

A research scientist conducts scientific research in a particular field of science. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a research scientist who is interested in conducting research in the field of radio astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to use radio telescopes to conduct research on a variety of topics, such as the evolution of stars and galaxies, the formation of planets, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Astronomer

An astronomer plans and conducts astronomical observations to study the universe and its contents, using telescopes. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for an astronomer as it would provide them with the knowledge and skills to use radio telescopes to conduct astronomical observations. This course would be particularly relevant to astronomers who are interested in studying the radio sky, which includes objects such as stars, galaxies, and quasars.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astronomer

Data Analyst

A data analyst collects, cleans, and analyzes data to uncover patterns and trends. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a data analyst who is interested in working in the field of astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to collect, clean, and analyze data from radio telescopes. This data can be used to study a variety of topics, such as the evolution of stars and galaxies, the formation of planets, and the search for extraterrestrial life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Observatory Director

An observatory director oversees the operation of an astronomical observatory. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for an observatory director who is interested in managing a radio observatory. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to operate a radio telescope, collect and process data, and analyze the results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Observatory Director

Software Engineer

A software engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a software engineer who is interested in working in the field of astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to develop software systems for radio telescopes. These systems can be used to control the telescope, collect and process data, and analyze the results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Educator

An educator teaches students about a particular subject. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for an educator who is interested in teaching astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to teach students about the radio sky, radio telescopes, and the latest developments in radio astronomy.

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Science Writer

A science writer writes about scientific topics for a general audience. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a science writer who is interested in writing about astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the latest developments in radio astronomy and to write about them in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Technical Writer

A technical writer writes technical documentation for a variety of purposes. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a technical writer who is interested in writing about astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the latest developments in radio astronomy and to write about them in a clear and concise way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Science Policy Analyst

A science policy analyst analyzes scientific data and makes recommendations to policymakers. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a science policy analyst who is interested in working in the field of astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the latest developments in radio astronomy and to make evidence-based recommendations to policymakers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Librarian

A librarian manages a library and provides reference and research assistance to library users. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a librarian who is interested in working in a library that specializes in astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the latest developments in radio astronomy and to assist library users with their research.

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Museum curator

A museum curator oversees the collection, preservation, and display of museum artifacts. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a museum curator who is interested in curating a collection of astronomy artifacts. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the history of radio astronomy and to care for and display astronomy artifacts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Historian

A historian studies the past and writes about it. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a historian who is interested in writing about the history of astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the history of radio astronomy and to write about it in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Archivist

An archivist preserves and manages historical documents and artifacts. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for an archivist who is interested in working in an archive that specializes in astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the history of radio astronomy and to care for and preserve astronomy artifacts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Journalist

A journalist writes about current events for a variety of media outlets. A course on radio astronomy would be helpful for a journalist who is interested in writing about astronomy. This course would provide them with the knowledge and skills to understand the latest developments in radio astronomy and to write about them in a clear and concise way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist