In: Physics
How can you use the Hydrogen 21-cm line transition to measure the rotation curve of a galaxy?
Measurement of Galactic Rotation Curve
Objective:
The 21cm line produced by neutral hydrogen in interstellar space
provides radio astronomers with a very useful probe for studying
the differential rotation of spiral galaxies. By observing hydrogen
lines at different points along the Galactic plane one can show
that the angular velocity increases as you look at points closer to
the Galactic center. The purpose of this experiment is to create a
rotational curve for the Milky Way Galaxy using 21-cm spectral
lines observed with a small radio telescope. The sample
observations for this experiment will be made using the small radio
telescope located at the Haystack Observatory. The rotational curve
will be created by plotting the maximum velocity observed along
each line of sight versus the distance of this point from the
Galactic center.
Introduction:
The 21-cm line of neutral hydrogen
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the cosmos; it makes up
80% of the universe