The Searfe Radio Science & Astronomy Awareness Project
Abstract
A project to raise awareness and gain practical experience in radio astronomy radio-science and the importance of the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum is being run in several Australian high schools. Students from city and country high schools are using computer controlled RF scanners connected to wideband discone antennas to measure RF signal levels up to 1.5 GHz in their local area and are comparing their results via the internet. Through this the students gain an increased understanding of the value and use of the radio spectrum for communication and astronomy practical experience in radio-science and an appreciation of the requirements of a ""radio-quiet"" site for the next generation radio telescopes the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) that Australia is bidding to host.
- Publication:
-
IAU Special Session
- Pub Date:
- 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003IAUSS...4E..90W