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At least 55 records · Page 3

Reoptimization of the Ohio State University radio telescope for the NASA SETI program

The Ohio State University radiotelescope is the second largest radio telescope in the United States, equivalent in collecting area (2200 sq m) to a 175-foot diameter dish. For the past 17 years it has been dedicated fulltime to SETI, and it is now being considered by NASA for selection as the NASA dedicated SETI observatory. The telescope was originally designed, optimized, and used as an all-sky survey instrument to create detailed maps and catalogs of the radio astronomical sky. For the SETI Program, some re-optimizations are required. Right ascension tracking for one to two hours (depending on the declination) was achieved by exploiting the exceptionally large f/d ratio of the telescope. The feed horns were mounted on a large moveable, rubber-tired cart which is capable of a total motion of 100 feet. The cart can carry many horns, making possible simultaneous observations at many sky directions and frequency ranges. Rapid declination movement and its automation will be accomplished through simplification of the existing braking system, and replacement of older mechanical sensors by modern electronic inclinometers and proximity detectors. Circular polarization capability will be achieved through an increase in the number of horizontal wires in the reflector mesh, or addition of a finer mesh on top of the existing one. The telescope has great inherent resistance to radio frequency interference, due to its ground-mounted feed horns and shielding by the large reflectors of half the horizon. The resistance was recently increased further by installation of rolled-edges and diffraction-trapping gratings on the feed horns. If further shielding should be required, inexpensive side shields could be added to the telescope, making it a totally closed structure on all four sides.

Dixon, R. S.

Performance of a Quad-Ridged Feed in a Wideband Radio Telescope

A new quad-ridged, flared horn achieving nearly constant beamwidth and excellent return loss over a 6:1 frequency bandwidth is described. The system performance in two Radio Telescopes: 1) A 12-meter symmetric dual shaped reflector system intended for geodetic very long baseline interferometry and 2) A 15-meter offset dual shaped reflector intended for the SKA is presented showing it to be excellent wideband feed choice.

wideband feed

Direct imaging of planetary systems with a ground-based radio telescope array

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory's proposed Millimeter Array (MMA) will bring unprecedented sensitivity, angular resolution, and image dynamic range to the millimeter wavelength region of the spectrum. An obvious question is whether such an instrument could be used to detect planets orbiting nearby stars. The techniques of aperture synthesis imaging developed for centimeter wavelength radio arrays are capable of producing images whose dynamic ranges greatly exceed the brightness ratio of a solar-type star and a Jupiter-like planet at sub-millimeter or millimeter wavelengths. The angular resolution required to separate a star and planet at a few pc distance can be obtained with baselines of several km. The greatest challenge is sensitivity. At the highest possible observing frequencies (approximately 300 GHz for typical high, dry sites, and approximately 900 GHz from the Antarctic plateau), the proposed MMA will be unable to detect the thermal emission from a Jupiter-like planet a few pc away. An upgraded MMA operating near 300 GHz with twice the currently proposed number of antennas, a 20% fractional bandwidth, and improved receivers could detect Jupiter at 4 pc in a few months. Building such an array on the Antarctic plateau and operating at approximately 900 GHz would allow Jupiter at 4 pc to be detected in approximately one day of observing time.

Jones, Dayton L.

Foundation design for a radio telescope on the moon

A foundation design for a 122 m diameter dish-type radio telescope on the moon is presented. The 1.2 m wide and 43 m diameter circular strip footing was analyzed for settlement due to compaction during installation and also for total and differential settlement under in-service laods. An axisymmetrical finite element code of the uppdated Lagrangian formulation was used. Interface slip elements were also used. The nonlinear hyperbolic stress-strain model parameters for the regolith were derived from load-deflection characteristics of astronauts' bootprints and the Rover tracks.

Chua, Koon Meng

Discovery and Timing of Three Millisecond Pulsars in Radio and Gamma-Rays with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and Fermi Large Area Telescope

We performed deep observations to search for radio pulsations in the directions of 375 unassociated Fermi Large Area Telescope γ-ray sources using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 322 and 607 MHz. In this paper we report the discovery of three millisecond pulsars (MSPs), PSR J0248+4230, PSR J1207–5050, and PSR J1536–4948. We conducted follow-up timing observations for ∼5 yr with the GMRT and derived phase-coherent timing models for these MSPs. PSR J0248+4230 and J1207–5050 are isolated MSPs having periodicities of 2.60 ms and 4.84 ms. PSR J1536–4948 is a 3.07 ms pulsar in a binary system with an orbital period of ∼62 days about a companion of a minimum mass of 0.32 M⊙. We also present multifrequency pulse profiles of these MSPs from the GMRT observations. PSR J1536–4948 is an MSP with an extremely wide pulse profile having multiple components. Using the radio timing ephemeris we subsequently detected γ-ray pulsations from these three MSPs, confirming them as the sources powering the γ-ray emission. For PSR J1536–4948 we performed combined radio–γ-ray timing using ∼11.6 yr of γ-ray pulse times of arrival (TOAs) along with the radio TOAs. PSR J1536–4948 also shows evidence for pulsed γ-ray emission out to above 25 GeV, confirming earlier associations of this MSP with a ≥10 GeV point source. The multiwavelength pulse profiles of all three MSPs offer challenges to models of radio and γ-ray emission in pulsar magnetospheres.

High energy astrophysics

Very long baseline interferometric observations made with an orbiting radio telescope

An orbiting spacecraft and ground observatories have been used to obtain interferometric observations of cosmic radio sources. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) was used as the orbiting observatory in conjunction with two 64-meter radio telescopes at ground observatories, one in Australia and one in Japan. The quasars 1730-130 (NRAO 530), 1510-089, and 1741-038 were observed at a frequency of 2.3 gigahertz, and a maximum projected baseline of 1.4 earth diameters was achieved. All quasar observations for which valid data were acquired resulted in detected fringes. Many of the techniques proposed for a dedicated very long baseline interferometry observatory in space were used successfully in this experiment.

Levy, G. S.

Using the Very Large Array (VLA) and other radio telescopes to perform a parasitic search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)

This paper describes several attempts to utilize various radio telescopes in a manner that is termed 'parasitic', that is in a manner that does not interrupt or seriously impact the standard astronomical observing programs in progress at the radio observatories. In the extreme case, only recorded astronomical data are accessed off-line, after the fact, without any burden on the observatory at all.

Tarter, J. C.

Using the Very Large Array (VLA) and other radio telescopes to perform a parasitic Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

This paper describes several attempts to utilize various radio telescopes in a manner that we term "parasitic," that is in a manner that does not interrupt or seriously impact the standard astronomical observing programs in progress at the radio observatories. In the extreme case, only recorded astronomical data are accessed off-line, after the fact, without any burden on the observatory at all.

Extraterrestrial Environment

High-resolution Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope H I 21 cm Imaging of the Host Galaxy of FRB 20250316A

We report Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) H I 21 cm imaging of NGC 4141, the host galaxy of FRB 20250316A at z = 0.0063. Our GMRT H I 21 cm images have spatial resolutions, at z ≈ 0.0063, of ≈0.48–8.0 kpc, and provide evidence for (i) a companion galaxy, LEDA 2582852, to the southwest, (ii) a nearby (27 kpc distant) H i cloud to the southwest, (iii) disturbances in the H I distributions of both NGC 4141 and LEDA 2582852, and (iv) high H I column densities in the southwestern outskirts of NGC 4141. A Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectrum yields a low metallicity and a high star formation rate (SFR) surface density in the southwestern disk of NGC 4141, and an Hα-based SFR estimate that is significantly higher than that at the same location from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer near-ultraviolet image, indicating a recent burst of star formation. The total SFR of NGC 4141 is also found to be higher via the Hα line than from the 1.4 GHz radio continuum. The above evidence indicates that NGC 4141 has recently (within the last ≈3 Myr) acquired metal-poor gas, via either a merger or accretion, that resulted in the southwestern starburst and that may also have triggered large-scale star-formation activity in NGC 4141, resulting in the formation of the stellar progenitor of FRB 20250316A and the other transients. Our highest-resolution (480 pc) GMRT H I 21 cm image finds no H I 21 cm emission from the location of FRB 20250316A or the nearby star-forming region, suggesting that most of the H I here has been either ionized or converted into the molecular phase. Our nondetection of continuum emission at the location of FRB 20250316A yields the 3σ upper limit νL 1.38 GHz < 4.4 × 10 34 erg s −1 on the 1.38 GHz radio luminosity of a putative persistent radio source associated with FRB 20250316A, one of the strongest constraints on the radio luminosity of such an associated persistent radio source.

Kaur, Balpreet [Pune University (India)] (ORCID:00

Computer-aided structural design of a lunar radio telescope

This paper describes a computer-aided structural design of the main reflector of a fully steerable radio telescope to be located (in the 21st century) on the moon, and presents the results of the structural analysis of the reflector. The reflector is a paraboloid with a surface area of 12,660 sq m and a focal ratio of 0.42. The reflector's surface will be covered by a 5.08 cm-thick sandwich panel made of thin-walled aluminum cells filled with low-density foam. The low weight of the design will be achieved by using graphite-epoxy as the structural material.

Akgul, Ferhat

Analysis of the GPS Observations of the Site Survey at Sheshan 25-m Radio Telescope in August 2008

The processing of the GPS observations of the site survey at Sheshan 25-m radio telescope in August 2008 is reported. Because each session in this survey is only about six hours, not allowing the subdaily high frequency variations in the station coordinates to be reasonably smoothed, and because there are serious cycle slips in the observations and a large volume of data would be rejected during the software automatic adjustment of slips, the ordinary solution settings of GAMIT needed to be adjusted by loosening the constraints in the a priori coordinates to 10 m, adopting the "quick" mode in the solution iteration, and combining Cview manual operation with GAMIT automatic fixing of cycle slips. The resulting coordinates of the local control polygon in ITRF2005 are then compared with conventional geodetic results. Due to large rotations and translations in the two sets of coordinates (geocentric versus quasi-topocentric), the seven transformation parameters cannot be solved for directly. With various trial solutions it is shown that with a partial pre-removal of the large parameters, high precision transformation parameters can be obtained with post-fit residuals at the millimeter level. This analysis is necessary to prepare the follow-on site and transformation survey of the VLBI and SLR telescopes at Sheshan

Liu, L.

OH radio observations of comets P/Brorsen-Metcalf (1989o), Okazaki-Levy-Rudenko (1989r), Aarseth-Brewington (1989a1), and Austin (1989c1) at the Nancay radio telescope

The 1667 MHz and 1665 MHz transitions of the OH radical were recently monitored in several comets with the Nancay radio telescope: P/Brorsen-Metcalf (1989o) (August 4 to October 31, 1989), Okazaki-Levy-Rudenko (1989r) (October 3 to December 2, 1989), Aarseth-Brewington (1989a1) (December 8 to 30, 1989), and Austin (1989c1) (February 15 to June 14, 1990). Present gas expansion measurements obtained from the analysis of the line shapes are presented and the long term variations of the water production rate, as measured from the OH radio lines. On October 13, 1989, the occultation of a background source by comet Okazaki-Levy-Rudenko (1989r) was fortuitously observed. A preliminary report of this observation is given. Further analysis of the data is continuing.

Bockelee-Morvan, D.

The Lowest-frequency Fast Radio Bursts: Sardinia Radio Telescope Detection of the Periodic FRB 180916 at 328 MHz

We report on the lowest-frequency detection to date of three bursts from the fast radio burst FRB 180916.J0158+65, observed at 328 MHz with the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT). The SRT observed the periodic repeater FRB 180916.J0158+65 for five days from 2020 February 20 to 24 during a time interval of active radio bursting, and detected the three bursts during the first hour of observations; no more bursts were detected during the remaining ∼30 hr. Simultaneous SRT observations at 1548 MHz did not detect any bursts. Burst fluences are in the range 37 to 13 Jy ms. No relevant scattering is observed for these bursts. We also present the results of the multiwavelength campaign we performed on FRB 180916.J0158+65, during the five days of the active window. Simultaneously with the SRT observations, others with different time spans were performed with the Northern Cross at 408 MHz, with XMM-Newton, NICER, INTEGRAL, AGILE, and with the TNG and two optical telescopes in Asiago, which are equipped with fast photometers. XMM-Newton obtained data simultaneously with the three bursts detected by the SRT, and determined a luminosity upper limit in the 0.3–10 keV energy range of ∼10(exp 45) erg/s for the burst emission. AGILE obtained data simultaneously with the first burst and determined a fluence upper limit in the MeV range for millisecond timescales of 10(exp -8) erg/sq.cm. Our results show that absorption from the circumburst medium does not significantly affect the emission from FRB 180916.J0158+65, thus limiting the possible presence of a superluminous supernova around the source, and indicate that a cutoff for the bursting mechanism, if present, must be at lower frequencies. Our multi-wavelength campaign sensitively constrains the broadband emission from FRB 180916.J0158+65, and provides the best limits so far for the electromagnetic response to the radio bursting of this remarkable source of fast radio bursts.

M. Pilia

Observations of OH in comet Levy with the Nancay radio telescope

Due to extremely favorable excitation conditions, comet Levy (1990c) exhibited in August-September 1990 the strongest OH 18-cm signal ever recorded in a comet at the Nancay radio telescope. This unique opportunity was used to measure the OH satellite lines at 1612 and 1721 MHz, to perform extensive mapping of the OH radio emission and to make a sensitive evaluation of the cometary magnetic field, of the H2O outflow velocity and of the OH production rate.

Bockelee-Morvan, Dominique

Space-based radio telescopes and an orbiting deep-space relay station

Foremost among the candidates for early utilization of the Shuttle-launched self-deployable structures are the space-based radio telescopes. Several space-based telescopes are examined including an orbiting VLBI terminal, an orbiting submillimeter telescope, and a large ambient deployable IR telescope. Particular consideration is given to the high-gain Orbiting Deep-Space Relay Station for communication with deep-space probes. Details of deployable antenna technology are discussed.

Powell, R. V.

Observations of cometary parent molecules with the IRAM radio telescope

Several rotational transitions of HCN, H2S, H2CO, and CH3OH were detected in comets P/Brorsen-Metcalf 1989 X, Austin (1989c1) and Levy (1990c) with the Institute for Millimeter Radioastronomy (IRAM) 30-m radio telescope. This allows us to determine the production rates of these molecules and to probe the physical conditions of the coma.

Colom, P.