This research project aimed to become familiar with how blackbody radiation is studied in space. We sought to model a more small-scale experiment with similar instruments to the ALMA telescope, a facility used to explore different parts of the universe. Our experiment included a heterodyne receiver, amplifier, detector, optical chopper, an analog lock-in and a blackbody source. In this way, our team gained hands-on experience by collecting data to relate changes in temperature related to detecting blackbody radiation. In understanding part of the internal workings of the ALMA satellite, we can better understand how blackbody radiation from supergiant stars is studied and used to predict information from thermal sources that are lightyears away, such as the temperature of stars, what chemicals make up a star, and the lifespan of a star.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Garay, Nicole
• Gardner, Nickolas

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042922-164134
• 66356

Keyword

• Heterodyne
• Astrophysics
• ALMA
• Experiment

Advisor

• Petkie, Douglas Todd

Year

• 2022

Date created

• 2022-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright