46 - Radio Astronomy and Its Use in Molecular Spectroscopy

Abstract

Radio Astronomy and Its Use in Molecular Spectroscopy

Radio astronomy is the method of observing electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequencies. This form of astronomy is different from visual astronomy because with this method it is possible to collect data on matter that is not visible to the human eye. Radio astronomy is conducted using telescopes with antennas and dishes, rather than lenses. This method of astronomy can be used to study celestial objects and plasma in order to determine their chemical composition in a process called radio spectroscopy.