Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Jan 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21345103b&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #213, #451.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.344
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
Low radio frequencies ( MHz) represent the last of the relatively unexplored wavebands in the electromagnetic spectrum for astrophysics. Such observations are very challenging from the surface of the Earth because of an abundance of human-made radio interference (e.g., FM bands, TV channels) and because of ionospheric refraction. The lunar farside presents a unique opportunity to fully open this cosmic window because of the demonstrated radio-quiet environment. The ultimate science goal of a lunar farside low frequency telescope is to explore a new frontier in cosmology, the so-called Dark Ages. This era occurs between Recombination (at z 1100) when the universe first becomes transparent (producing what we observe today as the CMB) and Reionization when the first stars and galaxies form (at z 10-20). During the Dark Ages, the universe was unlit by any star and the only detectable signal is likely to arise from neutral hydrogen absorption against the CMB (from the collapse of the first structures). Observing this absorption signal would be a powerful probe of fundamental cosmology. During the Dark Ages (z 20 - 150), when the 21-cm (1.4 GHz) neutral hydrogen line is redshifted into the low frequency radio band (10-30 MHz, 10-30 m), the absorption signal has the potential to be the richest of all cosmological data sets. In this poster, we will discuss the opportunities and options for low frequency radio antennas in both lunar orbit and on the lunar surface. We are investigating a novel concept to deploy a large number of low-mass antennas deposited on sheets of polyimide film. We will also describe results of laboratory vacuum testing at U. Colorado on polyimide film cycled between -150 C and 100 C, and exposed to far-ultraviolet light, with conditions like those on the lunar surface.
Burns O. Jr. J.
Lazio Joe
ROLSS DALI Teams
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