VLF Radio Astronomy: Research & Sources

  • Thread starter Thread starter waht
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Astronomy Radio
AI Thread Summary
Research on VLF (very low frequency) radio astronomy indicates that observations require space-based telescopes due to atmospheric reflection of signals below 15 MHz. Challenges include the opacity of the interplanetary medium (IPM) and interstellar medium (ISM) to low-frequency radio waves. Several sources in space could potentially emit low-frequency radio waves, but significant obstacles remain in conducting such astronomy. Notable references include proposals and analyses on low-frequency radio interferometry and sensitivity studies for early reionization observatories. Overall, advancements in this field could enhance our understanding of cosmic phenomena.
waht
Messages
1,499
Reaction score
4
I'm not sure if this is a correct forum for this topic, but I'm wondering if there is any research done on VLF (very low frequency) radio astronomy. Obviously, such telescope would have to be in space, because all signals up to 15 MHz are reflected by the atmosphere.

If this was done or not, what would be possible sources in space of low frequency radio waves?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
There are several problems with doing astronomy at low frequencies, not the least of which is that the IPM (and, if we could get beyond the IPM, the ISM) is opaque to radio waves, below the plasma frequency.
http://rsd-www.nrl.navy.mil/7213/weiler/kwpdf/lfap-1page.pdf" gives a concise summary of one proposal.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nice reference, Nereid! Here are some others worth a look:

Combined LOPES and KASCADE-Grande Data Analysis
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0510352

The Sensitivity of First Generation Epoch of Reionization Observatories and Their Potential for Differentiating Theoretical Power Spectra
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0507357

Motivation and possibilities of affordable low-frequency radio interferometry in space
http://www.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0207226
 
3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and formerly designated as A11pl3Z, is an iinterstellar comet. It was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station at Río Hurtado, Chile on 1 July 2025. Note: it was mentioned (as A11pl3Z) by DaveE in a new member's introductory thread. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/brian-cox-lead-me-here.1081670/post-7274146 https://earthsky.org/space/new-interstellar-object-candidate-heading-toward-the-sun-a11pl3z/ One...

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
267
Replies
72
Views
10K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
3K
Back
Top