![]() ![]() Diesel on the other hand ignites by compression. The spark plugs are known to emit radio waves. Only diesel vehicles are used on the premises because gasoline vehicles have spark plugs which initiate the combustion. Not even a fitbit watch was allowed inside. I saw a smart family bringing in the good old film camera, while we were not able to take any pictures inside the observatory. No digital cameras are allowed because they emit radio waves as well. This cage prevents radio waves from the oven to spread out. No microwave ovens are allowed, unless they are enclosed in a metallic cage called Faraday’s cage. Green Bank Observatory has a group which monitors for man made noise and tries to eliminate. The signal from the last cell phone tower, and thereafter some magic software from Google maps carried us to our destination. Fortunately, we were able to reach the hotel (which was kind of a rural and bucolic farmhouse) in pitch darkness. And thought of resorting to good old technology of using directions from paper. We tried the cell phone as long as the signal was received. Unfortunately, our hotel address could not be found in its database. Assuming Google maps cannot help us due to paucity of cell phone towers, we took our handheld GPS receiver which directly receives signals from the GPS satellites in the space. Starting after a full day’s work, it was late in the night by the time we reached our hotel close to Green Bank. Radio telescopes capture the radio waves by using antennas and piping the signal to sensitive receivers study. The methods of capturing are different for different types of radiation. Telescopes were being constructed to capture the radiation coming from outer space at different frequencies. It was found later that infrared rays (heat), x-rays, ultra violet rays, gamma rays, microwaves, radio waves are all part of this same spectrum. Nineteenth century discoveries proved that light is only a small part of the spectrum of what is known as electromagnetic radiation. To accomplish these goals, it is important to stay away from man made radio noise.Īstronomy traditionally has been confined to seeing the light emitted by heavenly bodies. This helps in exploration of astronomical objects like distant stars, galaxies, black holes etc. This allows the telescopes to capture the radio waves coming out of space. There are no cell phone towers in a radius of fifty miles. This is also an isolated place in terms of being a radio free zone. Green Bank is in West Virginia, passing through a forest to reach a middle of nowhere valley surrounded by mountains. I drove for seven hours to see a radio telescope. ![]()
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