Radio Astronomy: Exploring the Invisible Universe
Discover the wonders of radio astronomy, from celestial objects to cutting-edge detection techniques. Perfect for aspiring astrophysicists.
Discover the wonders of radio astronomy, from celestial objects to cutting-edge detection techniques. Perfect for aspiring astrophysicists.
Embark on a fascinating journey into the realm of radio astronomy with this comprehensive course. Uncover the hidden universe beyond visible light, exploring exotic celestial objects that emit radio waves. From the birth and death of stars to the detection of gravitational waves, you'll gain insights into how radio observations enhance our understanding of the cosmos. This course covers the fundamental physics of radio emission, various detector technologies, and the diverse range of celestial radio emitters. You'll learn to interpret radio signals to diagnose key physical properties of astronomical objects. With a blend of historical context and cutting-edge science, this course provides a solid foundation in radio astronomy, suitable for those with a basic background in physics and mathematics.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Understand the historical context and significance of radio astronomy
Explain the physics of photon properties, propagation, and radiation transport
Analyze different types of radio emission mechanisms in astrophysical contexts
Compare and contrast various radio detector technologies and their applications
Characterize different types of celestial radio emitters and their properties
Interpret radio emission data to diagnose key physical properties of astronomical objects
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
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Limited Access access
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There are 6 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to radio astronomy, covering both the scientific aspects of celestial radio sources and the technological methods used to observe them. The curriculum is structured over six weeks: Week 1 offers a historical perspective on radio astronomy and an overview of observable objects. Week 2 delves into the basics of photon properties, propagation, black-body emission, and radiation transport. Week 3 explores the photon spectrum, including continuum production and line physics. Week 4 focuses on photon detection techniques across the electromagnetic spectrum. Weeks 5 and 6 are dedicated to an in-depth study of the main objects detectable in the universe at radio wavelengths. Throughout the course, students will learn about various emission mechanisms, characterize different types of celestial radio emitters, and understand how to use radio emission to gain insights into the nature of astronomical objects. The course emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical applications in modern astrophysics.
Historical perspective of radio astronomy
Module 1
Basics of photon properties and propagation
Module 2
Description of the photon spectrum
Module 3
Basics of detection of photons
Module 4
Main objects detectable at radio wavelength - Part 1
Module 5
Main objects detectable at radio wavelength - Part 2
Module 6
Fee Structure
Instructors
4 Courses
Leading Astrophysicist at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Frédéric Courbin is a Professor of astrophysics at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he specializes in observational cosmology, particularly focusing on gravitational lensing and the determination of cosmological parameters. He graduated from the University of Paris XI and obtained his PhD from the University of Liège in Belgium. Courbin has been instrumental in multiple responsibilities related to the European Space Agency's Euclid mission and has developed an online course titled “Introduction to Astrophysics” on the edX platform, aimed at educating a broad audience about fundamental astrophysical concepts. His research interests include galaxy and quasar formation, astronomical signal processing, and he has contributed significantly to time delay cosmography, which measures the Hubble constant and addresses discrepancies in cosmic measurements. Through his work, Courbin aims to enhance understanding of the universe's structure and dynamics while fostering educational initiatives in astrophysics.
1 Course
Expert in International Development and Environmental Science
Silvia Hostettler is Deputy Director of the Cooperation & Development Center (CODEV) at EPFL, where she coordinates research activities and directs the UNESCO Chair's Biennial International Conference in Technologies for Development. After studying Tropical Environmental Science at the University of Aberdeen and completing development studies at EPFL, she worked as Cloud Forest Initiative Coordinator at IUCN. She earned her Ph.D. in 2007, focusing on land use change and international migration in western Mexico. From 2008 to 2012, she served as Executive Director of swissnex in Bangalore, India, establishing the office and organizing over 50 events to facilitate Swiss-Indian research collaboration. Since joining CODEV in 2012, she oversees education programs at Master and Bachelor levels while teaching cooperation and development. Her expertise spans environmental science, international development, and research coordination, reflected in her roles on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Development Engineering and the Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries.
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