FARSIDE: Exploring the Cosmos from the Moon - Nivedita Mahesh - 09/29/2023

How can astronomers observe the early universe, the so-called "dark ages", prior to the formation of stars and galaxies themselves? Why is the far side of the Moon the best place to build a telescope to view the "dark ages"? Join us for a 30-minute lecture on these topics, followed by a panel Q&A consisting of several astrophysicists to answer your questions about astronomy, astrophysics, and space science. Timestamps below:

00:00 Announcements
07:30 Intro to Lunar Telescope Presentation
08:29 Lunar Telescope Presentation
37:21 Q&A for Lunar Telescope Presentation
37:37 "At what latitude will the radio telescope be on the Moon?"
39:09 "How will you protect the telescope from direct sunlight & solar wind?"
40:16 "Why do the dipole arms have curvature?"
41:33 "What have space agencies found on the far side of the Moon?"
42:55 "Is this telescope proposed or funded?"
44:47 "How will you power this telescope?"
46:43 Intermission
51:38 Q&A Panel Introductions
55:42 "Why is there a permanent far side of the Moon?"
1:02:52 "When will be the next supernova bright enough to be seen with the naked eye?"
1:09:23 "Do stars give warnings before they go supernova?"
1:12:14 "Can tidal locking happen for two objects that have the same mass?"
1:14:53 "How will we ensure the far side of the Moon remains radio quiet?"
1:17:38 "How long will this telescope operate on the Moon? What afterwards?"
1:18:48 "How long are supernovae bright?"
1:21:36 "Why do stars explode?"
1:25:22 "Is the lunar radio telescope mobile or fixed?"
1:26:29 "Is the solar system related to the structure of the atom?"
1:29:12 "What will happen when the Milky Way collides with the Andromeda Galaxy?"
1:33:35 "How do you actually simulate astrophysical phenomena?*"
1:41:35 "Does fluid dynamics better represent astrophysical systems?"
1:43:38 "Can the proposed lunar radio telescope be moved for optimization?"
1:45:36 "How do we differentiate individual stars in distant galaxies?"
1:54:10 "What predictions are there for the first generation of stars?"
1:56:26 "How will astronomers use AI in their work?"
2:01:57 Concluding Remarks

*Paper reference for Toomre & Toomre (1972) referred to in Cameron's explanation of early galaxy simulations: https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1972ApJ...178..623T

Title: FARSIDE: Exploring the Cosmos from the Moon
Speaker: Nivedita Mahesh
Abstract:
NASA’s planned return to the moon is promising for radio astronomers, too. In this talk, I will discuss two NASA mission concepts to place a low-frequency radio array on the far side of the moon. I will describe what unique astronomical science can be done with a radio telescope on the lunar farside. Then, we will look at the details of two planned radio telescope concepts, how they will be constructed by robots and operated autonomously. Finally, I will give an update on a precursor radio telescope that will fly to the Moon by the end of this year.

Видео FARSIDE: Exploring the Cosmos from the Moon - Nivedita Mahesh - 09/29/2023 канала Caltech Astro