The Radio Sky II: Observational Radio Astronomy

Overview

Embark on a journey through the cosmos with "The Radio Sky II:

Observational Radio Astronomy", a comprehensive course designed for astronomy enthusiasts. This program delves into the heart of radio astronomy, starting with an overview of the diverse technologies that empower astronomers.

Gain insights into the workings of single-dish radio telescopes and radio interferometers, while also touching upon other observational platforms such as optical, UV, X-ray, gamma, neutrino, and gravitational wave telescopes. The course takes a special interest in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, adding a thrilling dimension to your learning experience.

Dive deeper into the core of observational radio astronomy, exploring key concepts such as flux, luminosity, and brightness temperature, alongside the technical nuances of instrumentation including the radiometer equation and sensitivity calculations.

Understand the various radio telescope technologies and venture into the realms of time-domain radio astronomy, covering pulsars, transients, and Fast Radio Bursts. A comparative study of radio astronomy observatories worldwide unveils their unique capabilities, enriching your understanding of the field.

The curriculum progresses to unravel the intricacies of radio interferometric imaging.

Learn about the Fourier transform, the van Cittert-Zernike theorem, and the foundational principles of aperture synthesis imaging. The course methodically explains the radio-interferometer measurement equation (RIME), setting the stage for advanced topics in interferometric calibration and self-calibration.

Practical aspects of data reduction, including data inspection, flagging, basic calibration, and imaging are extensively covered, alongside guidance on crafting observational proposals.

Concluding with a forward-looking discussion, the course spotlights the future Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, exploring its anticipated challenges and scientific potential. Offered by edX under the category of Astronomy Courses, this immersive educational experience promises to elevate your understanding of the universe through the lens of radio astronomy.

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Taught by

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

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Subjects