Introduction to Radio Jove

SSL 2006A

Mel Blake

Project Summary

1. Construct a Receiver sensitive to 20MHz radiation

2. Construct an telescope to receive 20MHz radiation

3. Observe the Sun and its activity using the telescope

The Receiver

• Series of amplifiers and tuners that can be plugged into the sound card of a computer

• Tuned to 20 MHz using capacitors

The Antenna

• Two diploes connected together

• Dipole is ½ the wavelength of the 20MHz wave

• Signals brought to the telescope using co-axial cables

• Sensitive to radiation perpendicular to the cable

20MHz Radio Telescope

• Dual-dipole

• Signal combiner adds the signals together

• Delay line makes the distance both waves travel the same

• Antennae are made from copper wire and insulators.

Software

• Skypipe– Produces a plot of radio flux vs. time– Data can be shared with others

• Produces on-line database that can be mined

Construction

• All components for basic receiver come with the kit

• Requires soldering the components to the board, learning to recognize different electronics

Receiver Kit

Antenna Cables

Cable Preparation

Antenna

Skypipe

• Strip-chart program• Tune to 20MHz• Provides radio energy

vs. time• Can register and

access archive data

Science

• Flares and bursts from the sun

• Sunspot telescope used to monitor activity

• H-alpha telescope used to watch for flares