The pointing model of 4.5-m small radio telescope at NARIT

The efficiency of a radio telescope decisively depends on its pointing accuracy. Telescope’s pointing model (PM) contains repeatable errors due to the antenna control system’s imperfections, which can be corrected during observation. The 4.5m Small Radio Telescope (SRT’s) has been developed for education and experiments at Astropark, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), Chiang Mai (18°N 51’ 5” and 98°E 57’ 27”). We have implemented a 10-cm optical camera system installed on the SRT’s antenna structure to measure the offset of individual pointing covering all sky direction, which then are modeled, and the telescope’s PM is obtained. Here, we report preliminary results of SRT’s PM, where we obtain for each epoch -551.116 and -3811.549 arcsec for Azimuth encoder offset, and 1217.105 and -3343.866 arcsec for Elevation encoder offset. More accurate results can be obtained with better sky coverage observation.

Seismicity map to analyze the depth and magnitude earthquake zone in Kwandang Area of North Gorontalo Regency

Kwandang is a district located in the northern part of Gorontalo. The purpose of this research is to analyze the depth and magnitude earthquake zone that occurred in the district of Kwandang, Gorontalo Utara regency based on seismicity map. The astronomical research location is located at 0° 49' 39" S, 122° 55' 8" E. The method used in this research is seismicity map analysis. The earthquake that dominates in Kwandang, based on the value of its depth, namely shallow earthquake (0-70 km) and medium earthquake (70-300 km). This is caused by subduction activity in the direction of the subduction of the north arm of Sulawesi towards south of Tomini Bay. Whereas based on the strength of the earthquake in Kwandang sub-district is dominated by small earthquakes (-) with a light, mild earthquake. Based on the depth zonation, earthquakes mostly occurred in the west. Based on the magnitude, the earthquakes mostly occurred in the southwest.

Introducing high-school and university students to practical astronomy via Virtual observatory tools

Large-scale astronomical surveys from the last decades have turned the usage of catalogs and archival data into one of the primary skills of contemporary observational astronomers. Virtual observatory tools give high-school and university students the opportunity to conduct astronomical research by themselves, using freely available observational data. For this purpose, they need basic theoretical knowledge in astronomy. The current paper includes a review of this theoretical knowledge as well as a review of Virtual observatory tools suitable for students. Results obtained by students using VO tools at the Beli Brezi Summer School in Astronomy and Astrophysics are presented as well.

Method of constructing the primary error matrix of the RT-32 radio telescope in an automated mode

2020 was the year of introduction of the Ukrainian new generation radio telescope RT-32 into the experimental operation. The test results of maser hydrogen and hydroxyl lines obtained during the experimental operation confirmed the correctness of the calculations and technological solutions of Ukrainian scientists and manufacturers Consortium. One of the further development directions of RT-32 as a radio astronomical research tool is to increase the accuracy of pointing the radio telescope to radio astronomical sources. One of the further development directions of RT-32 as a radio astronomical research tool is to increase the accuracy of pointing the radio telescope to astronomical radio sources. The latter is to be achieved by automating the processes of guidance error matrices formation and their integration during the observations. The formation of such a matrix presupposes taking into account the structural features of the antenna system and weather condition. The paper presents the results of geodetic measurements of the antenna system surface on different elevation angle, construction of the 3D model of the reflector. The method of constructing the error matrix, which at this stage of research provides the necessary simplicity of perception and interpretation of the obtained results by the human operator, is proposed. The results of the developed method verification using reference radio sources are given and the error matrices of elevation and azimuth pointing (dimension 81x81 elements) obtained with the use of said method are presented. The introduction of the results presented in the article into the radio telescope control system allowed increasing the accuracy of RT-32 radio telescope pointing in the C- and K- bands to the value of ~36″. This work partially was supported by Latvian Council of Science project "Joint Latvian-Ukrainian study of peculiar radio galaxy “Perseus A” in radio and optical bands. Nr: lzp-2020/2-0121".

Astronomy

The textbook presents almost all sections of modern astronomy: a historical overview, the basics of practical astronomy, the laws of motion of celestial bodies, the structure of the Solar system, methods of astronomical research, basic information about the Sun, stars, planets, galaxies and the Universe as a whole. To work with the textbook, you need knowledge of the main sections of mathematics, physics and chemistry in the volume of the high school course. At the end of the paragraphs, there is a list of questions for better assimilation of the material, as well as tasks focused on preparing for the Unified State Exam in physics. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. For students of the 11th grade, students of secondary special educational institutions and anyone interested in the problems of modern astronomy.

Research of binary neutron star merger phenomenon by high speed sweeping observation

The pursuit of astronomical research has vastly expanded and illuminated our understanding of physics and the laws of the universe. This, in turn, is knowledge useful to a wide range of applications, many that would not have been foreseen in the original research. Astronomy helped create accurate navigation and mapping whilst technologies developed in the pursuit of the stars can be found in many key, everyday devices. Despite millennia of combing the night skies, there are still many mysteries about the universe that we do not yet understand. Professor Toshikazu Shigeyama and Associate Professor Shigeyuki Sako based at the Research Center for the Early Universe (RESCEU) and Institute of Astronomy (IoA), The University of Tokyo, Japan, are two astronomers working to uncover new information about our universe. They have led a team of researchers who were responsible for creating a new astronomical camera, the Tomo-e Gozen. This device will be capable of helping to shed light on several unknowns through the use of sensors able to capture images much closer together in time than ever before.

The AAVSO’s program: creating inclusive citizen science communities

<p>The American Association of Variable Star Observers was formed in 1911 as a group of US-based amateur observers obtaining data in support of professional astronomy projects. Now, it has evolved into an International Association with members and observers from both the professional and non-professional astronomical community, actively supporting ground and space-based variable star projects. As such, the AAVSO’s main claim to fame is that it successfully engages backyard Astronomers, educators, students and professional astronomers in astronomical research, building inclusive international communities around its portfolio. I will present the main aspects of the association and how it has evolved with time to become a premium resource for variable star researchers. I will also discuss the various means that the AAVSO is using to support cutting-edge research, and give updates on the tools and resources that are now available to researchers worldwide.</p>