Operation of the Nation's Only Galactic Neutral Hydrogen Observation Program

National Gwacheon Science Museum to Conduct Pilot Program in May-June

(Source: NASA)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The Gwacheon National Science Museum announced on the 28th that it will conduct a pilot operation of the program "Universe Seen Through Radio Waves," which uniquely observes neutral hydrogen primarily distributed in the spiral arms of our galaxy using its radio telescope, from May to June.

In astronomy, neutral hydrogen refers to a hydrogen atom composed of one proton and one electron, called HI. This neutral hydrogen emits radio waves at a wavelength of 21 cm (1.4204 GHz). By observing the radio waves from neutral hydrogen in the spiral arms of our galaxy, the velocity of the hydrogen can be measured, which allows calculation of the mass of our galaxy. Spiral arms refer to the distribution of stars or interstellar gas in a spiral-shaped pattern within a galaxy.

The Gwacheon National Science Museum has been conducting a pilot operation of the "Sun Seen Through Radio Waves" program since March this year following improvements to the radio telescope's performance last year, and plans to operate it three times daily starting in May.

This program consists of a brief introduction to radio astronomy and radio telescopes, a demonstration of radio telescope operation, an explanation of the principle of radio wave emission from neutral hydrogen, observation and analysis of neutral hydrogen in the spiral arms of our galaxy, scanning observation and analysis of neutral hydrogen in the spiral arms, and display and interpretation of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence using radio signals) demo data.

The program is conducted once on holidays and weekends, and participants must be middle school students or older. Up to five people per session can make reservations through the Gwacheon Science Museum website. When social distancing measures are eased, up to 10 participants can join, but the program will not operate at level 2.5 or higher.