Expert: Courtney Seligman - 9/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Where could I download some raw data from a radio telescope for free? What file format is "standard" for this type of data?

ANSWER: I am not an expert in the field of radio astronomy, but have looked at enough online material to suspect that there is no standard format for downloading data, nor does there appear to be any centralized location to go to, to find out what is available. The answer to your question probably depends upon what kind of data you are interested in, the hardware and software you plan to use to analyze and display the results, and the time and effort you want to invest.

Normally, I would recommend trying a different AllExperts expert, but a quick search of the topics and experts available doesn't bring anyone in particular to mind. So if you can give me a better idea of exactly what it is you want to accomplish, I'll do what I can to help you find the information you want, or someone who is better qualified to provide it.

As an example of various possibilities, do you (1) want a random chunk of data which you can use to create radio maps as an illustration of the techniques involved, (2) want to participate in a global computational analysis, such as the SETI project, or (3) want access to a raw data file covering all or most of the radio sky, from which you can select an area of your choice? Or are you looking for a site which can direct you to any of these, according to your current interest?

Courtney Seligman
Professor of Astronomy
Long Beach City College

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm looking for data I can use to analysis in a manor similar to SETI. I'm not interested in participating in
SETI@home. I want to write my own program to analyze the
signal. I was looking for data in a nonproprietary, well
designed, and well documented file format. High resolution
from a specific location would be best but beggars can't be
choosers.

Answer
I'm afraid that under the circumstances, I don't know what to suggest. As I said, I'm not an expert in the field; and I'm sure that if you want to write your own software, you need to contact someone who is.

I'd suggest looking up universities and/or observatories which run or are affiliated with radio telescopes and arrays, to see which instructors and/or staff do research using such equipment. An email to someone like that, asking whom you could contact for guidance, would be far more likely to put you on the right track than any information I can provide.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but wish you the best of luck in your quest.

Courtney Seligman