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3 years ago in Radio Astronomy By Pragya

How can I build a radio telescope‑ Is it costly, and can I make one in Gorakhpur?

I'm an undergraduate physics student in Gorakhpur with a strong interest in observational astronomy. Optical telescopes are hampered by light pollution here, so I'm exploring the radio spectrum. I need to know if I can begin with consumer-grade electronics and what celestial objects would be viable, measurable targets given the local radio frequency interference.

 

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By Deeksha S Answered 2 years ago

I have mentored several student groups in similar environments. I would recommend starting with a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) dongle like an RTL-SDR, which is very affordable. Your first goal should be detecting the Milky Way's hydrogen line (1420 MHz). You'll need to construct a simple parabolic dish or a Yagi antenna. The biggest challenge in Gorakhpur will be Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) from mobile and TV signals. I have seen success by carefully selecting observation times and using software filters. Start by simply mapping the increase in noise as your antenna passes over the galactic plane; it's a profound first detection.

 

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