Sensing the Radio SkySensing the Radio Sky

Bob Hayward

SEPA Conference

Atlanta, GA

June 2005

Pisgah Astronomical Research Pisgah Astronomical Research InstituteInstitute A not-for-profit public foundation A not-for-profit public foundation

dedicated to providing research dedicated to providing research and educational access to radio and and educational access to radio and optical astronomy for a broad cross-optical astronomy for a broad cross-section of userssection of users

www.pari.eduwww.pari.edu

NSF Internships in Public NSF Internships in Public Science Education (IPSE) Science Education (IPSE) Students – Summer 2004Students – Summer 2004

PARI’s NSF IPSE ProjectPARI’s NSF IPSE Project

A collaborative astronomy project between multimedia and physics undergraduate students to develop a STARLAB cylinder designed to display and present the radio sky.

Summer 2004Summer 2004

Furman UniversityFurman University 1 physics student 1 physics student 1 mentor 1 mentor

UNC-AshevilleUNC-Asheville 3 multimedia students3 multimedia students 2 physics students2 physics students 2 mentors2 mentors

Three componentsThree components

1.1. Develop a STARLAB cylinder to Develop a STARLAB cylinder to display and present the radio sky, as display and present the radio sky, as opposed to the visible sky. opposed to the visible sky.

The multimedia arts and sciences The multimedia arts and sciences majors take the lead in this task.majors take the lead in this task.

2.2. Develop a special pulsar Develop a special pulsar projector that includes light, projector that includes light, sound and touch displays. sound and touch displays.

The physics interns take the The physics interns take the lead in this component.lead in this component.

3.3. Develop curriculum materials Develop curriculum materials that include a CD and web-based that include a CD and web-based multimedia. multimedia.

Physics interns develop content Physics interns develop content compatible with national science compatible with national science standards. standards.

Multimedia interns developed the Multimedia interns developed the web-based and CD graphics.web-based and CD graphics.

STARLAB STARLAB planetarium planetarium presentatiopresentatio

n n techniquestechniques

Skills/knowledge required

Basic astronomy including Basic astronomy including celestial coordinates and celestial coordinates and

mapsmaps

The sky at radio and visible The sky at radio and visible frequencies: Radio emission frequencies: Radio emission

mechanisms and radio sourcesmechanisms and radio sources

Computer graphics including Computer graphics including Photoshop and IllustratorPhotoshop and Illustrator

Construction of a Construction of a STARLAB projector cylinderSTARLAB projector cylinder

IC electronics for pulsar IC electronics for pulsar projector developmentprojector development

Use of Use of PARI’s PARI’s

26-m radio 26-m radio telescopes telescopes

for for observatioobservatio

n of n of pulsarspulsars

Progress to dateProgress to date

Greyscale inverse of cylinder template

The CylinderThe Cylinder

Cyg A SS433 Sgr A M1

Milky Way

STARLAB Radio Sky STARLAB Radio Sky CylinderCylinder

(prototype)(prototype)

GraphicsGraphics

Milky Way

Pulsar ProjectorPulsar Projector

Timing circuit producesTiming circuit produces Laser beam flashLaser beam flash Ticking soundTicking sound

Mounting on cylinder not yet Mounting on cylinder not yet solvedsolved

Curriculum DevelopmentCurriculum Development

Standards/objectives identifiedStandards/objectives identified NationalNational North CarolinaNorth Carolina New YorkNew York CaliforniaCalifornia TexasTexas South CarolinaSouth Carolina

Summer 2005Summer 2005

Furman UniversityFurman University 2 physics students 2 physics students 1 mentor 1 mentor

UNC-AshevilleUNC-Asheville 3 multimedia students3 multimedia students 1 physics student1 physics student 2 mentors2 mentors

Goals for Summer 2005Goals for Summer 2005 Adjustments to the cylinder templateAdjustments to the cylinder template

Projected imagesProjected images Greyscale shadesGreyscale shades Match to the real radio skyMatch to the real radio sky

Building the pulsar projectorBuilding the pulsar projector Design for compactnessDesign for compactness

Attachment to the cylinderAttachment to the cylinder

Producing a multimedia “Radio Sky” Producing a multimedia “Radio Sky” programprogram

Encompasses both the cylinder and the pulsar Encompasses both the cylinder and the pulsar projectorprojector

Goals for School Year 2005-06Goals for School Year 2005-06

Final production modelsFinal production models STARLAB Radio Sky cylinderSTARLAB Radio Sky cylinder Pulsar projectorPulsar projector Multimedia program materialsMultimedia program materials Curriculum materialsCurriculum materials

Dissemination of ten “beta” Dissemination of ten “beta” modelsmodels Evaluation and improvement of all componentsEvaluation and improvement of all components

Pilot presentations at local schoolsPilot presentations at local schools

Looking ahead….Looking ahead….

Development of a STARLAB Development of a STARLAB cylinder presenting the gamma ray cylinder presenting the gamma ray skysky Application for a new IPSE grant has Application for a new IPSE grant has

been submitted.been submitted. Awaiting funding decision.Awaiting funding decision.

The EndThe End

w w w . p a r i . e d u