Module
Observing
What to do once it is built and the software runs.
8 lessons, in the order they are meant to be worked through
Once your horn and receiver work, these lessons introduce observing. Learn site selection, pointing, spectrum assessment, calibration against a known load, and interference recognition.
You can observe in daylight from locations with open sky. Local radio interference can affect your measurements. Protect your electronics from weather and follow the equipment instructions.
The module ends with two extensions to single-horn observing. First, turn drift scans into a sky map and rotation curve. Then add a second horn to make an interferometer.
For two-horn observations, use the setup lesson and its companion technical memo:
- Setting up and operating a 2-horn interferometer — covers both the adding and the multiplying spectrometer programs.
- Adding interferometry to a 2-horn system (view PDF) — LightWork Memo 31.
For what an interferometer is actually good for, see Interferometry in the Astronomy module.
Choose what you need
Follow the lessons below for the complete observing sequence. For a specific task:
- Set up the telescope.
- Learn the spectrometer controls.
- Run and save observations.
- Calibrate the telescope.
Use your browser’s Print command to print a lesson or save it as a PDF.
8 lessons in this module
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What is a Horn Telescope?
Overview of what makes up a horn telescope and what it detects
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What Can a Horn Telescope Measure?
An overview of what a horn telescope detects
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Setting up the Telescope
Details on setting up the telescope for use
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Horn Telescope Spectrometer Description
Description of the calibrated-spectrometer.grc program features
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Running the Calibrated Spectrometer
Instructions on how to use the calibrated-spectrometer.grc program in GNU Radio
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How to Calibrate the Horn Telescope
The procedure for calibrating the telescope using the calibrated spectrometer is outlined.
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Observations - Mapping the Sky and Measuring the Rotation Curve
Reduce the data your telescope produces - a drift map of the sky, and the rotation curve of the Milky Way
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Optional activity
Setting Up a 2 Horn Interferometer
Details of setting up 2 horns for doing interferometry