0.xx Proposed banners to be hung from the ceiling in the general vicinity of major content areas. Originally, there were five major content areas… along the way these resolved into four main subjects. Below, a chart shows the evolution of the copy describing the main subject areas of the gallery:
| Original Content Areas | Proposed Revisions | Revised during Discussions |
| 1 What Are Radio Waves? | What are Radio Waves? | Introducing Radio Waves |
| 2.How Do We Detect Radio waves? | Detecting Radio Waves | |
| 3 What Can Radio Astronomy Tell Us About the Universe? | Learning from Radio waves | |
| 4. What is Going On at the Telescopes Now? | Exploring Radio Astronomy | Exploring Radio Telescopes |
| 5. Exploring the Role of Technology in Science | combine into section 4 |
The copy needs to be brief to fit well onto a sign and to make for quick comprehension by the visitor. The banners will be designed as suggested above, with revisions still possible at this point. Also, we may be able to add a banner or two as needed to strengthen the definition of major content areas.
0.2 Orientation Panel Information for visitors about “What’s NRAO; how is it funded, etc.” could be posted in the lobby; instead of on the orientation end panels.
0.3 What is radio astronomy end panel
Comments. We like the questions, but need to make sure that these questions are answered in the exhibits.
0.6 Radio Astronomy Technology (panel wall opposite to 3.2b)
Committee likes the idea of using this space to explore different careers involved in building and supporting the GBT. See the VLA's general public page for ideas: http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/vla/html/work/intro.html
The text on the poster was appreciated by the group especially the large text at the bottom. This should go right under the title.
3.2a Optical/Radio
What do different waves tell us about cosmic objects?
There are 4 wall panels in this display: In each we want to compare optical images with radio images.
In essence, in each panel we are deepening our view - looking at greater and greater distances. Perhaps this could be illustrated in some way.
We can highlight size here - though a galaxy is really big, radio jets are several times bigger. (Use 3C219, and Centaurus A)
Question: Do we want to talk about emission mechanisms here: thermal vs synchotron, vs spectral line radiation?
3.2b Image Processing
To show how data is represented by false color images, and to explain why image processing helps astronomers learn more about objects.
Will use HOU or facsimile to allow visitors to manipulate the following characteristics of images:
On the panels beside the computer, we will show examples of false color imaging, such as:
3.3b Pulsars Radio Light house + pulsar sounds
Sounds
are too loud and last too long. Don't repeat the same pulsars
Suggestion:
•Trim down the sound time for each pulsar sound. Or make it sound only as long as button is pressed.
•Circle location of Crab pulsar in graphic of Crab nebula.
•Volume will be adjusted on site to suit conditions.
Text: Title - Famous Pulsars
(Right side of panel features information about the pulsars which you can hear, along with information about two additional pulsars.)
Subtitle – Pulsars-What we hear
Pulses vary with the speed of the pulsars rotation. Some pulsars spin so fast that they appear to emit a continuous tone.
Press the button to hear the pulse. Imagine the pulsar’s speed!
Pulsar 0320 – Typical pulse rate
“the Crab” Pulsar 0531+21
“Vela” Pulsar 0388-45
Pulsar 1937+21 – Fastest pulse
Pulsar 0437
Suggestion:
•Trim down the sound time for each pulsar sound. Or make it sound only as long as button is pressed.
•Circle location of Crab pulsar in graphic of Crab nebula.
•Volume will be adjusted on site to suit conditions.
Lighthouse: the sound should be synched to each rotation. This has been discussed before and has to be fixed! The ouch noise is not pleasant. Change it to a percussive sound!!!
3.4 Doppler Shift
The speed button should be removed. We want a galaxy to cover the oscillating light source. Center the oscillator. Text was not discussed.
3.8 SETI
A brief discussion of this exhibit yielded an offer of help from Vivian, as she is now on the SOFIA education team. The committee likes the idea of a wall where people could post their thoughts and read those of others ala "What do you think?" These could be compiled regularly in a scrap book to empty the wall space for new thoughts. Jodi advocated the use of astrobiology data such as organic molecules, and formation of habitable planets. Committee concurred.
Text was edited right on the poster in some cases. Follow the link to additional notes on this exhibit