Radio Astronomy Course - Parkes

spacezebra (Petra) · #1 07-08-2009, 07:48 AM

Hi guys

I am attending the Radio Astronomy Course at Parkes in September
(21 - 25) and would welcome any information - eg. suitable pre-reading or links that you have come across.

Many thanks.

Cheers Petra d.

Rodstar (Rod) · #2 07-08-2009, 09:18 AM

Hi Petra. I would be interested to hear how you find the course. I am just reading a 90's book by Frank Drake called, "Is Anyone Out There", which focusses on Drake's experiences with Radio Astronomy, both in terms of the discovery of such things as Pulsars (which he penned the name for), but also as applied to the SETI program and its forebears.

Do you have any links for the course? Is it for beginners, or for those with at least an undergraduate science background?

Cheers!

spacezebra (Petra) · #3 07-08-2009, 10:36 AM

Hi Rod

I am a big fan of the CSIRO website and came across this - while researching Radio Astronomy. The HSC topic that I am working on at the moment is "The World Communicates" which covers waves, sound, light etc.... So to add to my understanding and provide direction for uni in 2011, I decided to apply.

http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/radio-school/2009/

I am booked and paid - just deciding on accommodation.

It would be great to see you there.

Cheers Petra d.

Rodstar (Rod) · #4 07-08-2009, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the info Petra. I have a work commitment that week unfortunately, I may well enrol in a future course though. I will be most interested to get a full report from you afterwards!!!

Terry B · #5 07-08-2009, 02:12 PM

I attended a synthesis imaging workshop at the ATCA similar to this one.
http://www.atnf.csiro.au/whats_on/in...&event_id=1123
(Mine was years before the one in the link

)
I assume the Parkes one will be similar but aimed more at single dish observing.
It was a great week and I learnt lots.
It was aimed mostly at graduate students so that they had a better idea of how radio astronomy could be used in their research. It was also to teach what is an appropriate application for time on the scope. ie what configuration of scopes, frequency etc will give you the most useful data for your particular research.
I was doing my Master of astronomy at the time and was just using data that had already been taken and reducing it. The workshop gave me a much better understanding of how it all worked and how to get the best out of the software that I was using. (Miriad and Karma)
You will find it a very interesting workshop.

renormalised (Carl) · #6 07-08-2009, 03:52 PM

Sounds like a really interesting course

. What uni course are you thinking of doing, Petra??

spacezebra (Petra) · #7 07-08-2009, 04:59 PM

Hi there Carl

I am currently studying HSC Physics and Maths (2U) with a view to enrol at ANU in 2011 and undertake a BSc. I already have a degree - but keen to change direction and do something I really want to do for a change.

Astronomy is the love of my life - and I am keen to pursue a career in that direction - whether that be research or science communication (you guys know how much I love outreach) only time will tell.

Carl, I am keen to hear about how your Masters is progressing. Sorry a bit off topic here.

Cheers Petra d.

renormalised (Carl) · #8 07-08-2009, 05:36 PM

My Masters is going OK....this is the second week of 2nd Semester now. Galactic Astrophysics and Cosmology is the subject this semester. Still waiting on my textbook though....stock will arrive shortly. Normally would've cost me $395 but I got a new copy for $94 at Fishpond.com. I'm currently doing the tute questions for this week's tute....fairly simple. Next year is the big year....that's when we have our major lit' review and thesis topic to cover. Still haven't thought about what I'll do, but I have a feeling it might be something to do with Martian geology or impact cratering dynamics on Earth. I'd like to do something on exoplanet studies as well if I decide not to do those other topics. Might be the one to go for, considering how topical it is. Although Martian geology would also be good as well, given all the exploration work going on there. If I'm lucky enough to be able to go onto the PhD, that'll probably be one of the fields I'll consider for my thesis....Martian Geology. I'll be going through the literature to find out what's been done before, so by the time I get around to that stage, I'll have a good idea of what I want to do. As a matter of fact, if my Masters thesis looks like being quite extensive, it might carry over into a PhD. We'll see what happens. Till then, it's nose to the grindstone