CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory Thursday 29th 4-430pmThe 1.4ghz receiver at CIT/BCO is specifically looking at neutral hydrogen in our own galaxy. This form of hydrogen emits radio waves at 1.4ghz only. Similar to a car radio, as the radio waves hit our receiver (sensor) they are converted into an electrical signal (in a car radio that’s output as audio). The strength of this electrical signal is proportional to the amount of hydrogen the telescope is looking at. Neutral hydrogen is of the most bountiful elements in the universe and crucial in the formation of stars (like our sun) and galaxies.Our own galaxy has numerous large hydrogen clouds which are currently forming the next generation of stars or feeding the current generation. The Quiet Club and Tobias Schmitt will be playing with this information.