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Vasileios ANGELOPOULOS, Griffin FOSTER, Jean-Paul KNEIB, Sphesihle MAKHATHINI, Kim MCALPINE, Oleg SMIRNOV, and Frédéric COURBIN

The serendipitous and unexpected discovery of radio emission from celestial objects opened up the possibility of studying a new and exciting view of the universe beyond the visible spectrum. Astronomers have been studying the cosmos in visible light since ancient Greece, but it is only in comparatively modern times that the universe beyond the visible spectrum has become accessible to us.

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The serendipitous and unexpected discovery of radio emission from celestial objects opened up the possibility of studying a new and exciting view of the universe beyond the visible spectrum. Astronomers have been studying the cosmos in visible light since ancient Greece, but it is only in comparatively modern times that the universe beyond the visible spectrum has become accessible to us.

In this course you will learn about the most important objects that emit in the radio regime, both within and beyond our own galaxy. Covering topics from the birth and death of stars to the detection of Gravitational waves you will learn how radio observations contribute to a richer understanding of the universe we inhabit. This course also introduces the basics of radio detectors and the technologies we use to observe at radio wavelengths.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Gain an overview of radio astronomy and its context
  • Understand the different detector technologies used at different wavelengths
  • Learn the features of the main emission mechanisms which cause radio emission
  • Characterise the different types of celestial radio emitters
  • Use radio emission to diagnose key physical and scientific insights into the nature of the object being observed.

Syllabus

Week 1: An historical perspective of radio astronomy, followed by the description of the main objects in the universe that can be observed at radio wavelength.
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Week 2: The basics of photon properties and propagation. Black-body emission and radiation transport.
Week 3: Description of the photon spectrum: continuum production and line physics.
Week 4: Basics of detection of photons. Detectors across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Week 5: The main objects that can be detected in the Universe at radio wavelength - first part.
Week 6: The main objects that can be detected in the Universe at radio wavelength - second part.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Introduces radio astronomy as an additional tool to analyze the universe beyond visible light
Presents diverse topics from stellar life cycles to gravitational waves, providing a wide perspective
Taught by renowned experts in radio astronomy, ensuring high-quality content and insights
Provides a comprehensive overview of radio astronomy, suitable for astronomy enthusiasts and professionals alike
Emphasizes the significance of radio emissions in unlocking key scientific insights into celestial objects

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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 I: Science and Observations with these activities:
Revise Electromagnetic Spectrum
Understanding basic electromagnetic spectrum and light will enable you to comprehend the principles of radio astronomy
Browse courses on Electromagnetic Spectrum
Show steps
  • Review notes or textbooks on electromagnetic spectrum
  • Solve practice problems related to the electromagnetic spectrum
Summarize Radio Emission Mechanisms
Explaining radio emission mechanisms strengthens comprehension of how celestial objects produce radio waves
Show steps
  • Review course materials on radio emission mechanisms
  • Create a written summary or presentation explaining different emission mechanisms
  • Share your summary with others for feedback
Analyze Radio Astronomy Images
Practice analyzing radio astronomy images improves skills in interpreting data and identifying celestial objects
Browse courses on Data Analysis
Show steps
  • Obtain a set of radio astronomy images
  • Use image processing software to analyze the images
  • Identify and describe the celestial objects in the images
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Discuss Current Events in Radio Astronomy
Engaging in discussions about recent developments keeps you updated on the latest advancements in the field
Browse courses on Radio Astronomy
Show steps
  • Identify a topic of interest in radio astronomy
  • Join or start a discussion group or forum
  • Share your thoughts and engage with others' perspectives
Attend a Radio Astronomy Conference
Attending a conference exposes you to cutting-edge research, fosters collaboration, and expands your professional network
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant radio astronomy conferences
  • Register for and attend the conference
  • Actively participate in sessions, ask questions, and engage with experts
Build a Simple Radio Telescope
Constructing a radio telescope provides hands-on experience in radio astronomy techniques and deepens understanding of the principles
Show steps
  • Gather materials and follow a project plan
  • Assemble the radio telescope and test its functionality
  • Use the telescope to observe and analyze radio signals

Career center

Learners who complete The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Radio Astronomer
Radio astronomers study the universe through the detection and analysis of radio waves, which can provide valuable information about celestial objects and phenomena. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field, including the history of radio astronomy, the different types of celestial radio emitters, and the techniques used to detect and analyze radio waves. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career as a radio astronomer.
Astronomer
Astronomers study celestial objects and phenomena, using various techniques to collect and analyze data. This course provides a solid foundation in radio astronomy, which is a powerful tool for studying the universe. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to pursue a career as an astronomer.
Astrophysicist
Astrophysicists apply the principles of physics to study celestial objects and phenomena. This course provides a strong foundation in radio astronomy, which is a valuable tool for astrophysicists. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to pursue a career as an astrophysicist.
Planetary Scientist
Planetary scientists study the planets, moons, and other objects in our solar system. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which can be used to study the composition, structure, and evolution of planets and other celestial bodies. By taking this course, you will gain a broader understanding of the solar system and develop the skills necessary to pursue a career as a planetary scientist.
Space Scientist
Space scientists study various aspects of space, including the Earth, other planets, and the universe as a whole. This course provides a broad overview of radio astronomy, which is a powerful tool for studying the universe. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of space and develop the skills necessary to pursue a career as a space scientist.
Research Scientist
Research scientists conduct scientific research in various fields, including astronomy and astrophysics. This course provides a solid foundation in radio astronomy, which is a valuable tool for research scientists. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a career as a research scientist in astronomy or astrophysics.
Science Writer
Science writers communicate complex scientific concepts to the public. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which is a fascinating and rapidly growing field. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to communicate scientific concepts to the public.
Science Educator
Science educators teach science to students at all levels. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which is a captivating and engaging field. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to teach science effectively.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create technical documentation, such as manuals, reports, and proposals. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which is a complex and rapidly evolving field. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to create clear and concise technical documentation.
Data Analyst
Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which generates a vast amount of data. By taking this course, you will learn how to analyze and interpret radio astronomy data, which is a valuable skill for data analysts in various fields.
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which relies heavily on software for data collection and analysis. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to design and develop software applications for radio astronomy.
Project Manager
Project managers plan, execute, and control projects. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which involves large-scale projects. By taking this course, you will learn how to manage projects effectively, which is a valuable skill for project managers in various fields.
Business Analyst
Business analysts identify and analyze business needs and develop solutions. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which has applications in various industries. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to identify and analyze business needs and develop solutions.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which has applications in marketing, such as promoting space exploration and astronomy-related products and services. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to develop and execute effective marketing campaigns.
Sales Manager
Sales managers oversee sales teams and develop sales strategies. This course provides a good overview of radio astronomy, which has applications in sales, such as selling astronomy-related products and services. By taking this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of the universe and develop the skills necessary to develop and execute effective sales strategies.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations.
An introductory text to radio astronomy, covering the history, techniques, and major discoveries of the field. Helpful for providing background knowledge and context for the course.
A book that explores the early universe from a radio astronomy perspective. Provides additional insights into the topics covered in the course, adding more depth to the material.
A textbook on modern astrophysics that covers a wide range of topics, including radio astronomy. Helpful for providing background knowledge and context for the course.
A textbook on galaxies that covers a wide range of topics, including radio astronomy. Helpful for providing background knowledge and context for the course.
A popular science book that provides a broad overview of astrophysics, including radio astronomy. Helpful for providing background knowledge and context for the course.
A field guide to the stars and planets, including information on radio astronomy. Helpful for providing background knowledge and context for the course.

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