Radio Astronomy for Programmers
summary
Fast-paced primer that shows how to go from raw signals to tracked objects: uses TLEs pulled from Space‑Track/Celestrak, predicts orbits with sgp4 (and Skyfield bindings), and compares feeds to reveal model variance; demonstrates tracking Vanguard 1 (NORAD ID 5) and ISS, notes sidereal day = ~23h56m and ESA estimate that ~1/3 of launches lack proper disposal. Covers radio imaging formats including FITS and Australia’s incompatible rpfits, mentions cfitsio/astropy tooling and Space‑Track API rate limits.
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chapters (27)
- 0:00Intro
- 0:14Radio Astronomy for Programmers
- 0:49Hardware
- 5:12The "Radio Window"
- 9:20International Geophysical Year 1 July 1957 to 31 December 1958
- 10:29Explorer + Project Vanguard
- 12:10Operation: Project Moonwatch
- 12:28Sputnik Trackers
- 13:05Radar? Astronomy
- 15:13Monostatic versus Bi-static or Multi-static
- 21:10Mechanics
- 23:52RIGHT ASCENSION
- 24:52INCLINATION
- 26:09ARGUMENT OF PERIGEE
- 27:17MEAN ANOMALY
- 31:18GROUND LEVEL
- 31:37PERTURBATIONS
- 32:17Formats
- 33:56Ephemeris Files
- 34:37FITS (Flexible Image Transport System)
- 36:51RPFITS (Australian FITS?)
- 38:25Track a Satellite from Home
- 39:04Choose your favourite object from the SATCAT
- 42:02Compare Space Surveillance Systems
- 43:14Interpret Telescope "Images"
- 43:28Interpret FITS files
- 44:15Make your own FITS files?
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