physics

Radio Astronomy & Interferometry

Exploring the universe through radio waves — dish antenna response, interferometer baselines, pulsar timing profiles, radio spectrum analysis, and aperture synthesis imaging from multi-element arrays.

radio astronomyinterferometryradio telescopepulsaraperture synthesisradio spectrumbaseline

Radio astronomy opens an invisible window on the cosmos, revealing phenomena hidden from optical telescopes — pulsars, quasars, cosmic microwave background radiation, and the cold hydrogen that traces galactic structure. Since Karl Jansky's accidental discovery of cosmic radio emission in 1932, the field has driven some of the greatest discoveries in astrophysics.

These simulations let you explore radio telescope beam patterns, combine baselines for interferometric resolution, analyze pulsar timing residuals, visualize the radio spectrum, and synthesize aperture images — all with physically grounded models and interactive parameter control.

5 interactive simulations

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Aperture Synthesis Imaging

Simulate aperture synthesis — explore how array configuration, observation duration, and declination affect UV coverage and synthesized beam quality

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Interferometer Baseline & Resolution

Simulate a two-element radio interferometer — explore how baseline length, wavelength, and source angle produce fringe patterns and angular resolution

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Pulsar Timing & Period Analysis

Simulate pulsar radio emission — explore how spin period, period derivative, dispersion measure, and pulse width shape the observed timing profile

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Radio Spectrum & Source Classification

Simulate radio source spectra — explore how spectral index, turnover frequency, and flux density characterize synchrotron, thermal, and self-absorbed emission

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Radio Telescope Beam Pattern

Simulate a parabolic radio telescope's beam pattern — explore how dish diameter, wavelength, and feed offset shape the primary beam and sidelobes