A Brief Journey through the Invisible Universe (106-0-1)
Instructors
Farhad Y Zadeh
847/491-8147
Technological Institute Building (2145 Sheridan Road), Room F-215, Evanston
Meeting Info
Technological Institute LG68: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
A radio and an optical astronomer go into a bar to resolve their disagreement about the nature of
the visible and invisible universe (see the cartoon). This course discusses the way radio and optical
astronomers view the sky with their respective telescopes. In particular, the realm of the invisible
which includes the components of a radio telescope, the fascinating history of radio astronomy, and
the numerous discoveries over the last 90 years (e.g., pulsars, quasars, cosmic microwave background
radiation, organic molecules).
Before 1931, the study of the universe was limited to optical observations of the night sky. Karl
Jansky changed everything by building a radio telescope that could observe the sky day or night.
We are all familiar with radio frequencies by listening to FM radio stations and using GPS satellites
for navigation. Radio astronomy is the study of natural radio emission from celestial objects at
frequencies outside FM and GPS frequencies. The human eye can see optical light but is blind
to radio signals, including those that provide important clues about the history of our universe.
The radio band is very broad, spanning 100,000 Hz between 107 to 1012 Hz, whereas our eyes are
only sensitive between red and blue, a factor of two. This course discusses new tools to unveil the
`hidden' sky over a wide range of frequencies in ways that can not be viewed or understood in the
optical frequencies.
Learning Objectives
This distro course is for undergraduate students who have no background in astronomy or radio
astronomy, or physics. Learn about cool objects in the universe that can not be viewed or understood in the visible spectrum of radiation.
Learn about:
-The history of radio astronomy and the coupling of physics and astronomy (cosmic rays and radio radiation)
-Learn about how radio telescopes detect radiation
-Physics of the radio sky and realm of the invisible sky
-Enjoyment: fun and awe moments
-Scientific literacy - a bit of how quantitative science works Create a sense of belonging that has a
wider context
Teaching Method
Two 80-minute or three one-hour lectures per week
Evaluation Method
This is a descriptive course using simple mathematics concentrating on some of the most exciting concepts in Astrophysics.
Preliminary Evaluation:
1) Weekly homework assignments 30% of the final grade
2) Quiz at the beginning of every class working in pairs, 25%
3) Midterm Exam 30%
4) Final project: A 3-minute video project on a topic of interest on radio astronomy 15%
Resources are press releases, Astronomy Magazines, Nature articles with perspectives.
astronomy press releases (NRAO, NASA, NSF, ESO, universities with some background reading.
Here are few examples
https://www.space.com/extra-bright-kilonova-from-neutron-star-collision
https://urldefense.com/v3
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201112134640.htm
Published papers can be found here: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/
More details about the video project will be given after the midterm.
Class Materials (Required)
Notes written by Felix Lockman, Lecture notes on canvas. Reading must be done before class
Class Notes
Topics to be Covered:
Roughly, two chapters per week. A total of 18 chapters in the textbook
Week 1: Electromagnetic radiation. Thermal radio emission: The planets
Week 2: The Birth of Radio Astronomy and the discovery of nonthermal radiation and cosmic rays.
Tour of the radio universe.
Radio Telescopes and how they work. Radio Interferometry.
Week 4: Hydrogen and the structure of galaxies. Dark Matter
Week 5: Pulsars and clocks. Midterm
Week 6: Pulsars and gravity
Week 7: The Big Bang: the oldest radio waves
Week 8: How stars are formed. Death of stars
Week 9: Interstellar Chemistry and Life. Video presentations
Class Attributes
Natural Sciences Distro Area