Radio frequency interference: The effect of ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on radio signal for radio astronomy purposes [Interferens frekuensi radio: Kesan kepekatan karbon dioksida (CO2) ambien ke atas isyarat radio dalam kajian astronomi radio]

Roslan, Umar and Sharifah Nurul Aisyah, Syed Zafar and Nor Hazmin, Sabri (2015) Radio frequency interference: The effect of ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on radio signal for radio astronomy purposes [Interferens frekuensi radio: Kesan kepekatan karbon dioksida (CO2) ambien ke atas isyarat radio dalam kajian astronomi radio]. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 19 (5). pp. 1065-1071. ISSN 13942506

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Abstract

Radio astronomy is a complementary to optical astronomy. Radio astronomy observation is conducted using large radio antennas referred to as radio telescopes, that are either used singularly, or with multiple linked telescopes utilizing the techniques of radio interferometry and aperture synthesis. In this study, weather factor that affected the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is investigated. An ambient carbon dioxide (CO2 ) concentration in the environment is determined to study the effect on radio signal up to 8GHz for radio astronomy purposes. The RFI pattern change against CO2 concentration is determined for one-hour observation time. The observations were conducted at KUSZA Observatory, East Coast Environmental Research Institute (ESERI) and UniSZA situated in Merang, Terengganu using spectrum analyser for RFI measurement and gas meter for CO2 concentration. The study findings found that for up to 600 ppm of CO2 concentration, there are no significant effect detected on radio signals. Thus, the radio astronomy observations may not affected. This study is very important for researchers in the radio astronomy field for determining the best location for radio telescope sitting for future research in radio astronomy.

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