Is 16.4 GHz a Significant Frequency in Radio Astronomy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the significance of the frequency 16.4 GHz in radio astronomy, particularly in relation to potential secondary photon emissions following transitions in hydrogen. Participants explore whether this frequency is commonly encountered and its implications for astrophysical phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if 16.4 GHz is a commonly encountered frequency in radio astronomy, linking it to a theoretical photon emission related to hydrogen transitions.
  • Another participant asserts that 16.4 GHz is indeed commonly encountered, providing references to papers and sources, although the validity of these references is later challenged.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the frequency's commonality and suggests rephrasing the question to focus on whether it is a commonly encountered peak frequency.
  • One participant acknowledges the possibility of undiscovered photon emission mechanisms and encourages the original poster to pursue their hypothesis.
  • Another participant requests verification of the hydrogen 1s-2s emission and absorption line frequencies to check for a 16.4 GHz difference, indicating a desire for empirical validation.
  • Several participants share links to resources and articles that may provide further insights into the frequency's significance, though some express difficulty in understanding the technical content.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the significance of 16.4 GHz in radio astronomy. While some assert its commonality, others express uncertainty and seek further clarification or evidence.

Contextual Notes

There are references to astrophysical sources and ongoing research related to the 16.4 GHz frequency, but the discussion includes challenges to the validity of provided references and the need for empirical verification of claims.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in radio astronomy, photon emission theories, and the study of hydrogen transitions, as well as those seeking to understand the significance of specific frequencies in astrophysical research.

neilparker62
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Hi

Just wondering if 16.4 GHz (or so) is a commonly encountered frequency in radio astronomy ? Because I'm theorising a possible secondary photon emission following photon emission and electron recoil in the Hydrogen 1s - 2s transition.
 
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Yes, 16.4 GHz is indeed commonly encountered in radio astronomy. Let us know here at Physics Forums if you get satisfaction. Post your questions here and you may expect highly qualified and experienced members to help guide you along your search.

Here are two papers that seem to be about your subject:

Swift satellite catches a hundred thousand new cosmic X-ray sources
Dec 16, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-12-swift-satellite-thousand-cosmic-x-ray.html

and

Unexpected source of gamma rays discovered
Mar 06, 2009
http://phys.org/news155567370.html

Cheers, Bobbywhy
 
Bobbywhy said:
Yes, 16.4 GHz is indeed commonly encountered in radio astronomy. Let us know here at Physics Forums if you get satisfaction. Post your questions here and you may expect highly qualified and experienced members to help guide you along your search.

Here are two papers that seem to be about your subject:

Swift satellite catches a hundred thousand new cosmic X-ray sources
Dec 16, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-12-swift-satellite-thousand-cosmic-x-ray.html

and

Unexpected source of gamma rays discovered
Mar 06, 2009
http://phys.org/news155567370.html

Cheers, Bobbywhy

Where abouts Bobbywhy ?

I cannot find any references in google
including those 2 links you gave


Dave
 
Well I guess I should rephrase the question as "is 16.4 GHz a commonly encountered peak frequency in radio astronomy". Since the cosmos produces - it would seem - just about every frequency there is! I also tried to google "16.4 GHz" and "16.4 Gigahertz" but not much seemed to come up.
 
OOPS! So sorry, I carelessly and mistakenly posted some GHz references. Thanks davenn for watching out for the integrity of our Forum’s posts!

There are astrophysical sources of this microwave 16.4 GHz frequency. Many new and planned radio telescopes are being built now will monitor it. Two sources are Galaxy ESO 149-3 and the Hubble image shows NGC 1566. A few other examples are:

Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 386, 1729–1738 (2008) doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13161.x
Multifrequency spectral analysis of extragalactic radio sources in the 33-GHz VSA catalogue: sources with flattening and upturn spectrum
http://authors.library.caltech.edu/14061/1/TUCmnras08.pdf

arXiv.org > astro-ph > arXiv:astro-ph/0102497v1

http://www.vlf.it/frequency/bands.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_A

AMIGPS16GH - AMI Galactic Plane Survey 16-GHz Source Catalog
http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/W3Browse/all/amigps16gh.html

Perrott, Y. C., A. M. Scaife, N. Hurley-Walker, and K. J. Grainge. 2013. “Investigating the Source of Planck-Detected AME: High-Resolution Observations at 15GHz.” Advances in Astronomy 2013: 1-9.

Perrott, Y. C., A. M. Scaife, D. A. Green, M. L. Davies, T. M. Franzen, K. J. Grainge, M. P. Hobson, N. Hurley-Walker, A. N. Lasenby, M. Olamaie et al. 2013. “AMI Galactic Plane Survey at 16 GHz – I. Observing, mapping and source extraction.” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 429: 3330-3340.
 
neilparker62 said:
Hi

Just wondering if 16.4 GHz (or so) is a commonly encountered frequency in radio astronomy ? Because I'm theorising a possible secondary photon emission following photon emission and electron recoil in the Hydrogen 1s - 2s transition.

neilparker62, Just a comment from me: Whether or not that frequency is common or not, your underlying proposal may have merit.

There may be an undiscovered photon emission mechanism. It takes persons like you to form the hypothesis, and then try to disprove it...

I congratulate you for your searching for this transition; who knows, in future it could be known as the "parker trasnsition". Keep on searching.

Cheers, Bobbywhy
 
Many thanks Bobbywhy for your kind words - I am indeed greatly encouraged! Perhaps I'm pushing my luck a bit here but can I request someone with one of those frequency comb thingies (please excuse the rather ignorant sounding description!) to please very carefully check the Hydrogen 1s 2s emission and absorption line frequencies (separately if that's possible) and see if perchance there is not a 16.4GHz difference. Also check for 16.4 GHz 'rebound' emission. If that is found, then perhaps I need to submit a paper on whence is determined 16.4GHz.
 
Here please find three possibilities you may find a real radio astronomer to deal with your questions:

http://www.craf.eu/

Do you have a burning question you'd like to ask an astronomer? Feel free to email it to us (education@icrar.org) and we'll get you an answer.

National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Ask a Radio astronomer at https://blogs.nrao.edu/askanastronomer/
 
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