Student assignment ยท due date set by instructor
Submit complete derivations, units, assumptions, and a short physical interpretation. Include reproducible code for multi-step calculations and show intermediate values. Cite any external catalog or data product with its release/version. Collaboration on methods is allowed; submitted derivations and prose must be your own. Corrections and resubmissions with a change log are encouraged.
For B=10 microgauss and gamma=10^4, calculate the characteristic frequency. Then increase B by 4 at fixed frequency and derive the required new gamma. State why a spectral peak need not equal this frequency.
Required: derivation, units, intermediate values, uncertainty/assumption, and an interpretation that identifies what the result does not prove.
At 1.4 GHz, compare the approximate FWHM and effective collecting area for 25-m and 50-m dishes with eta_a=0.70. State how the resolution and area ratios differ.
Required: derivation, units, intermediate values, uncertainty/assumption, and an interpretation that identifies what the result does not prove.
Using SEFD=300 Jy, two polarizations, and eta_s=1, find the integration time needed for 1 mJy rms in a 1-MHz channel. Identify one reason an actual observation may take longer.
Required: derivation, units, intermediate values, uncertainty/assumption, and an interpretation that identifies what the result does not prove.
OpenStax Astronomy 2e Chapter 5 Figuring for Yourself 41 (radio wavelength from broadcast frequency) and Chapter 6 Review Question 15 (interferometric resolution).
The numbered anchors were checked against the local OpenStax Astronomy 2e extraction; exercise numbers/page breaks can vary by edition. Before assigning through an LMS, the instructor should spot-check each recommendation against the adopted print/PDF edition. Exact source scope and extraction notes are in ../reference-log.md. Do not present the synthetic teaching records as telescope observations.
Three problems, 100 points total. Submit a PDF or HTML report plus code/notebook where requested. Show figures with axes, units, captions, and data provenance.