Since 1991 Sonoma Valley High students have been involved in using NASA's inexpensive "special" VLF radio receivers for observing natural radio sounds originating from within the earth's atmosphere—as well as related experiments performed onboard the MIR space station (will be replaced by the ISS in '04—we hope!) as part of NASA/Russian Space Agency cooperation. For the last 2 years, we have also been using several (also inexpensive) student-constructed 20.1 MHz radio telescopes to monitor radio wave bursts from the Sun, as well as those originating from Jupiter (associated with Io). The Jovian radio storms are predictable(to some degree) and have provided a means of successfully engaging students in an exciting area of radio astronomy both at the school and also through night hikes into the hills of Sonoma Valley.
Nitty-Gritty:
As part of the meeting we will demonstrate the operation of the receivers and
recorded signals that have been observed (both audiotape and computer files). [We
keep one 20.1Mhz receiver running continually during the school day for
solar observing (signal sent directly to a computer "stripchart").] Along with
this we will have information regarding source of materials (both are NASA
projects and materials can be obtained through them-software is free), web
sites for these projects in particular and radio astronomy in general, and
how we currently use this at the high school and our plans for the future.
Please Come!
Dean Knight
(707)933-4010 ext 4172 (messages)
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