Radio Astronomy for Programmers

Explore the fascinating world of radio astronomy from a programmer's perspective in this 45-minute conference talk. Dive into key data formats, units, and terminology used in near-Earth observation, with a focus on space debris mitigation. Learn about the historical context of space observation and its impact on current software practices. Discover the challenges of conflicting measurement standards, open-source paradigms, and legacy code bases. Gain insights into Australia's radio telescopy capabilities and publicly available resources. Acquire practical skills to tackle space science problems using Python or your preferred programming language, including satellite tracking, telescope imagery interpretation, and space surveillance system evaluation. No advanced mathematics required – expect engaging explanations with drawings and animated gestures to demystify this interdisciplinary field.