The Radio JOVE project is a hands-on inquiry-based educational project that allows students, teachers and the general public to learn about radio astronomy by building their own radio telescope from an inexpensive kit and/or using remote radio telescopes through the Internet. Participants also collaborate with each other through interactions and sharing of data on the network.
The Radio JOVE project began in 1998. Since then, more than 1,100 teams of students and interested individuals have purchased our non-profit radio telescope kits and are learning radio astronomy by building and operating a radio telescope. This self-supporting program continues to thrive and inspire new groups of students as well as individuals.
Radio JOVE
Radio JOVE students and citizen scientists observe and analyze natural radio emissions of Jupiter, the Sun and the galaxy
Project Details
- Principal Scientist: Jim Thieman/Chuck Higgins
- Scientist Affiliation: NASA—GSFC/Middle Tennessee State University
- Dates: Ongoing
- PROJECT TYPE: Observation
- COST: More than $50
- GRADE LEVEL: Middle School
- TIME COMMITMENT: Variable
- HOW TO JOIN:
The Radio JOVE project has developed a radio telescope kit used to receive radio signals from the Sun, the planet Jupiter and the Galaxy. See the Kit Request Page for ordering information. The kit is intended for advanced middle school, high school and introductory college students. Many teachers have supervised construction of the kit in after-school science clubs. Students spend about 8 hours building the receiver kit using basic hand tools and a soldering iron. No specialized electronic test equipment is required. The antenna is constructed out of wire, PVC pipe, ropes and stakes.
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