Electromagnetic Wave Propagation

High School Science Demonstration Melanie Leong June 25, 2003

Early Radio to Radio Astronomy

A Brief History of Radio & A Quick Introduction to Radio Astronomy

Onizuka Visitor Center Presentation Melanie Leong July 5, 2003

Agenda
Brief History of Radio Explanation of Electromagnetic Waves and Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Propagation - Spark Gap Generator Quick Introduction to Radio Astronomy

A Brief History of Radio

Radio is a new subject in terms of science & astronomy We receive transmitted radio waves for enjoyment, entertainment, and information 100 years ago Radio, as we know it, did not exist. 1884, James Clerk Maxwell
Calculated the speed electromagnetic waves travel is approximately the speed of light. Visible light forms only a small part of the spectrum of electromagnetic waves.

History of Radio (p2)

1888, Heinrich Hertz
Proved that electricity could be transformed into electromagnetic waves. These waves travel at the speed of light.

1896, Guglielmo Marconi

Built a wireless telegraph, a spark gap transmitter & receiver On December 12, 1901, accomplished the Atlantic Leap from Poldhu, Cornwall, England to Signal Hill, Newfoundland

History of Radio (p3)

1900, Reginald Fessenden
Continuous Waves necessary to transmit speech and music December 23, 1900, First wireless voice message to colleague Hello Brant. One. Two. Three. Four. Is it snowing where you are Mr. Theissen? If it is, telegraph back and let me know. Transmit and receive stations were only 1 mile apart, but this heralded the beginning of radio telephony. On Christmas Day 1906, Ships 100 miles away heard Fessendens voice and O Holy Night playing on their morse code receivers. 1906-1912, Radio Broadcast Development

History of Radio (p4)

1924, Spark transmission was phased out 1870s-1920s, Telephone developed and in service 1932, Karl Jansky
While doing research for Bell Labs for transatlantic radio service, he observed radio waves coming from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Not allowed to investigate more . . .

1941, Grote Reber

In 1933, Read about Janskys work, published in the NY Times By 1939, Built the first radio telescope in his backyard By 1941, Measured and recorded the first radio sky map

Grote Rebers Radio Sky Maps

What are Electromagnetic Waves?

An electromagnetic wave is an energy wave produced from an electrical discharge. Electromagnetic waves have rise and fall cycles. The number of rise and fall cycles per second is its frequency. We cant see or feel them, but they are around us.

Explanation of Frequency
Everything you see, and cant see, resonate at a specific frequency. Frequencies are sinusoidal waves. Speed of Light = Frequency x Wavelength
Example: The wavelength of a signal resonating at 3kHz is: 3 x 108 m/s = 100 kilometers or ~ 62 miles! 3 x 103 Hz

Lower frequencies have longer wavelengths. This characteristic allows these frequencies to be used for Morse code and amateur radio.

Diagram of Waves & Frequency

Frequency Bands

Simple Demo
Reviewing what we know: Electromagnetic waves propagate through space. If there is an excitation - electrical discharge, what do you predict will happen? Electromagnetic waves will propagate from its source to throughout the room. That means a detector placed anywhere in this room will indicate that the waves have propagated.

Diagram of Demonstration

ignition coil key +

radio battery

Field Coverage
This spark gap generator transmits broadband emissions It covers a large band of frequencies. With a radio tuned to an AM or Shortwave station, noise will be heard when the spark gap transmitter is energized. (530kHz to 4200kHz) Tune to another AM/Shortwave station, you should get the same electrical discharge noise. If the signal is regulated, or tuned, to one band of frequencies, communication can be gained.

Field Coverage (p2)

If there is a powerful discharge and you walked outside and down the street. Will the noise still be detected? Yes! Which is why full time activation is prohibited by the FCC.

EM Wave Summary
Electromagnetic Wavelength - Distance of One Cycle (peak to peak) Electromagnetic Frequency - Number of Cycles in One Second Speed of Light = Wavelength x Frequency Electromagnetic Waves propagate through space from an electrical discharge Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Uses Communications, Astronomy, and much more

What is Radio Astronomy?

It is the study of electromagnetic emissions from celestial objects in the radio spectrum band. Atoms and molecules in space emit their own unique electromagnetic waves. Radio telescopes can see cold objects, they do not emit light Able to detect radio sources behind interstellar clouds hidden from optical viewing. Can detect distant galaxies at the edge of the Universe

CSO Atmospheric Transmission

350 m Survey of Orion KL

Sagittarius A - Galactic Center

Arches Cluster in Sagittarius - Optical

Arches Cluster in Sagittarius - Radio

Sagittarius Arches in Optical & Radio

Sgr Arches in Optical & X-Ray/IR

Sagittarius - Arches Cluster

Optical X-Ray/Infrared Radio

QuickTime and a YUV420 codec decompressor are needed to see this picture.

Summary
Theres much more out there than visible light. What is seen in radio waves is very different than optical. Electromagnetic waves detected by Radio Telescopes tell us more about what else is going on out there. All spectrum bands are used to observe, measure, and interpret what is going on out in the Universe. Many different ground based and space based telescopes are made to accomplish this.