Radio Astronomy
Radio Astronomy Group
The Radio Astronomy group aims to document and collate our technical journeys through projects that are associated with Astronomy and Earth Sciences.
Radio astronomy differs from traditional optical astronomy in that telescopes operate in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where they can detect and collect data on natural radio-emitting sources.
What Makes Radio Astronomy Different
Although optical astronomers sometimes build their own telescope, it is not typical. However, the reverse can be said for the amateur radio astronomer, as most, if not all, the fun and challenge is in building custom equipment or modifying other equipment to do the job.
By using a number of radio receiving techniques, an astronomer has the opportunity for added mystery by making what is invisible to optical telescopes visible.
What Members Listen For
Members may listen to high-energy interactions from distant celestial objects such as pulsars, or closer natural interactions within the Earth's magnetic field, solar flares and other interesting noises from radio storms on Jupiter.
Since radio waves penetrate dust, some radio astronomers can study regions of the sky that are not visible to conventional optical telescopes, such as dust-shrouded star-forming regions and the centre of our own Galaxy, the Milky Way.
Aims and Objectives
- To facilitate and encourage the sharing of skills, ideas, techniques and knowledge resources to assist ASSA members in receiving radio emissions from space-based sources.
- To encourage an active forum for people who use receiver/scanner devices, be they commercial ham radios, crystal sets, software-defined radio or other types of digital signal processing equipment.
- To provide support to the beginner and the more experienced in radio reception techniques and in using their own antennas, receivers, signal processing hardware and software.
- To maintain a group whose activities are suitable for ASSA submissions/purposes and as a source of capable individuals to assist with other ASSA projects/initiatives.
Resources and Member Contributions
- Document the Radio Astronomy projects that members are doing.
- Post observations and data.
- Collect useful external links related to Radio Astronomy.
Meetings: No regular meeting schedule is currently listed on this page. Information can be updated here when a regular meeting pattern or contact address is confirmed.
Point of contact
| Name | Blair Lade |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0407 189 061 |