Physics Program Presents
Galactic Exploration with Invisible Light
Friday, May 12, 2017
Hegeman 107
12:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
12:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Daniel Marlow, Princeton University
Radio astronomy has greatly enhanced the range of observable astronomical phenomena. Although a wide range of wavelengths are used in radio astronomy, one of the most important is 21 cm, which corresponds to the hyperfine transition in atomic hydrogen. Although the 21 cm signal from a small collection of hydrogen atoms is exceedingly weak, and the density of hydrogen in the Milky Way is very low, the Galaxy is a big place and contains enough hydrogen to produce a signal that can be detected with a modest terrestrial apparatus. In this talk, I will present results obtained at 21 cm with a recently refurbished cold-war-era 60-foot dish antenna. Data from the dish will be used to measure the Sun's velocity with respect to the average velocity of nearby stars and to infer the existence of dark matter. Time permitting, pulsar signals will be presented and schematic plans for a kit capable of detecting indirect evidence for dark matter for costing less than $1000 will be presented.For more information, call 845-752-7302, or e-mail [email protected].
Time: 12:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Location: Hegeman 107