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ABOUT US |
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* The 12 meter dish antenna above is manufactured by Patriot Antenna Systems, near Lansing, MI. It has Full Motion for tracking, which is ideal for RAIs research. RAI will buy its dish antennas from Patriot Antenna Systems. Please visit their web site: |
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT To search for new worlds using computer technology with advanced, state-of-the-art software that push our knowledge to their limits. |
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1. -About Radio Astronomy Institute: RAI is a not-for-profit organization for deep space research and education in astronomy and radio astronomy. 2. -Goals: The goal of RAI is to conduct deep space research using its facilities, radio and optical telescopes and super computers to seek for other worlds. RAI emphasizes the idea of active exploration of the universe through computing. We believe that astronomical research should be as exciting as hitting a home run or playing your first musical piece. We teach that the same amount of preparation and practice is necessary. 3 - Rationale: RAI has a different rationale for research. Rather than astronomically large instruments and budgets, RAI will perform focused research and use the leverage of the newly developing area of computational astronomy. This emphasis extracts new information from existing data and uses new data from modest instruments with focused capabilities. It also provides access and connectivity for both on-site and remote activities. 4 - Staff: See link OR click here
The staff of RAI is experienced at dealing with its highly technical equipment and ultra-modern facilities. RAI intends to provide an engaging research experience rather than dry academia. The staff is crucial to providing this environment. 6 - Programs: The RAI programs engage researchers from grade school to PhDs. They will include not only radio astronomy but also visible [optical] and computational astronomy. The combination of these disciplines is used in the Search for other solar systems, asteroids, minor planets and comets. 6.1 - The visible [Optical] observing program: The optical program will use very special, multiple telescopes [interferometers] dedicated to continuous observations of particular targets for extended periods of time. This different type of observation supports the accumulation of continuous data across time rather than short fragmented and separate snapshots. This type of observation also supports looking for rapid and short lived events using filters and a stellar-nulling Coronagraph will also be used to help in the search for Additionally, special telescopes and instruments are planned to provide the capability to sense short and small bursts of light, changes in the sky, and to take measurements about position, motion and contents of certain stellar spectrum versus time. A polar-aligned photometer will be used to help our astronomers identify seeing conditions at the site 24 hours a day, seven day a week, locally and remotely using computers. See paragraph 6.4 below for special computer link. 6.2 - The radio-observing program: The radio program also will use multiple radio telescopes dedicated to continuous observation of particular targets for extended periods of time. Once again, the goal is to accumulate as much continuous data as possible, rather than a few separated snapshots. The radio astronomy program is taking advantage of equipment being 6.3 - The computational observing program: Just like power saws aid our hands in the construction of buildings from RAI will also apply some new computational techniques to the acquisition and processing of data, which rely on special computations together with new supercomputer class workstations. The ability to take these previously impossible dives into huge amounts of data 7 - Projects: Projects are supported activities using the facilities of RAI programs. 7.1 - Educational Projects: These projects involve public and private schools. 7.1.1 - Seekers: The Seekers program is designed to involve qualified students in astronomical research. Seekers can participate via computers. The Seekers program includes: 1 - The Changing Sky. Some catalogs show things in the sky that are constant. Our survey covers things that change, sometimes using computer-automated techniques. The celestial objects that are possible targets: Planetoids, Asteroids, comets, and planetary bodies, yet undiscovered. 2 - Nearby Star Surveys. Our initial search will begin by monitoring and measuring nearby stars. We will be searching for planetary details. Trying to block the light from a distant stellar object is difficult, at best. Our Stellar Nulling Coronagraph is a valuable instrument for this purpose. With it, we can hopefully separate stellar objects from their planets. 3 Return images from space. Like others, we are looking for certain images from other solar systems. The key here is not only the receiving equipment, but also the evaluation of incoming data using computers. 7.1.2 Future AstroCamp: The future AstroCamp has two parts: 1. On site participation for Seekers to come to RAI for a period of time. This will probably only be a summer program. 2. Observing in our facility where qualified visitors may come and stay in their RVs for a visit under northwestern skies. 7.1.3 Remote Access: The Remote Access capability also has two goals: 1. Remote participation in programs such as Seekers and access to computation astronomy activities, including data and computer resources. 2. Remote operation of telescopes. Certain telescopes would be developed with this capability in mind. Questions of allocation and robotic operation are TBD. 7.2 - Research Projects: These projects have ongoing scientific goals. 7.2.1 Time-On-Target: The Time-On-Target project has as its goal the operation of the RAI telescopes to spend a maximum amount of continuous observation of a few selected targets. This is in contrast to the operation of most astronomical instruments, where the goal is short snapshots of many targets. The first proposed set of targets is nearby class G and similar stars. 7.2.2 Lock-On-Target: Once a Time-On-Target observation produces something interesting, additional instruments and techniques will be applied to observing just one particular target. These instruments will be constructed for increased sensitivity in the domain of time resolution as well as special resolution. 7.2.3 - Sky Events: Even when taking only a single snapshot of a target, traditional astronomy has used lengthy data accumulations. This is another way that telescopes can see things that our eyes cannot. Unfortunately, this method also filters out rapidly occurring events. In contrast, RAI will investigate short-term events. These events may range from interesting artifacts found by the Time-On-Target and Lock-On-Target programs to other phenomena found by programs external to RAI, such as the new SWIFT satellite seeking gamma ray bursts. Special instruments may be built for rapid response to these short-term sky events. 8 - Facilities:
RAI facilities provide support for all the activities mention thus far by providing: 8.1 - Instruments: Both optical and Radio Telescopes. Radio Telescopes: Optical Telescopes: RAI is using commercial off-the-shelf telescopes, which combined with computer techniques will perform sky surveys and search for short term events. The 16 Cassegrain telescope above was built by Meade Instruments Corporation. RAI owns two of these telescopes.
RAI owns a Torus, .6 meter, Ritchey-Chretian [RC] telescope, like the one pictured above and has ordered a custom, one meter RC telescope from Optical Mechanics, Inc., in Iowa City, IA. Please visit their web site: www.opticalmechanics.com 8.2 - Communications: Because the staff of RAI has extensive communications experience from its TV broadcasting background, quality communications for the staff, instruments and computers has a high priority. Links will be provided for remote access to RAI, its instruments, programs and data. The operation of remote programs like Seekers and access to robotic instruments will use this capability. 8.3 - Main Building Click Facility Button to see main Building:
The RAI main building will be used for control of all instruments, office space and clean shops such as optical and electronic labs. 8.4 - Shops and Labs: The shop and maintenance facility will be a separate building from the office and clear room facility. It will house a machine shop, garage and utility equipment. Power will be generated and controlled here and the water system will be operated from here. 8.5 - Housing: Future Residential: RAI will have accommodations for stays on site. This includes staff and a few visitors on a temporary basis. A dormitory building with bath and kitchen facilities is planned. Camping: RAI plans to have camping facilities to support the AstroCamp program to accommodate qualified visitors with their own telescopes and RV. 8.6 Site and Utilities: Power: RAI will need to generate its own AC power. It will use solar panels, wind generators, 15 KW UPS and a backup 30 KW AC, biodiesel-powered generator facility. Since this is a remote stand-alone facility, use of power will be carefully controlled and limited. RAI has plans to request the local power company for an extension of its power line service. Water: The RAI water will come from wells on site. Since this is a remote Communications: Because RAI is a remote stand-alone facility, communication facilities are critical. Planned connections include a satellite uplink and cell phone service. Possible connections to local service are being investigated. The services will include phone and data links. 9 - Schedules and Budgets: Refer to Guidestar for more information. www.guidestar.org 9.1 - Budgetary Information Refer to: www.guidestar.org 10 - Travel and Contact Information: Radio Astronomy Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt foundation, founded in the state of Arizona. Contact information is below: Kenneth Casey, President Email: kenneth@radioai.org Telephones: Phone: 623.434.0800 Toll Free 800.726.7760 Fax: 623.434.1888 Cell: 541.429.1500 Offices: Highway 395, Ukiah, OR.
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