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