AST 240 - Radio Astronomy

Course Units: 1

(Fall; Staff) A laboratory-based course in the observing methods and the astrophysics learned from astronomical studies at radio wavelengths. Topics include the operation of a radio telescope; important emission mechanisms; star formation regions; interstellar gas; interstellar molecular clouds; radio galaxies; and the cosmic microwave background. Student projects will involve observations with Union’s 2-meter radio telescope and with the 37-meter radio telescope at the Haystack Observatory in Westford, Massachusetts. Prerequisite(s): PHY 111 or PHY 121 or IMP 113 or IMP 121 ; Recommended: MTH 115