Radio Astronomy

Date

February 15, 2023

Speaker

Rich Colarco, U.S. Air Force, Ret. Since retiring he serves as adjunct professor of physics, mathematics, and space systems engineering for several universities.

Speaker presentation

Radio Astronomy, Rich Colarco, February 15, 2023

Location

American Center for Physics, One Ellipse Drive, College Park, MD (and available on Zoom)

Time

1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Abstract

This presentation was prepared for the National Capital Radio and Television Museum, and the Museum's parent organization, the Mid-Atlantic Antique Radio Club. The presentation covers the history of radio astronomy, the motivation for doing astronomy in the radio spectrum, and some current radio astronomy resources. The intended audience was people who were interested in radio technology but did not know much about astronomy.

Biography

He has degrees in physics, operations research, and education and served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, as a navigator, electronic warfare officer, intelligence officer, and space operator. He traveled the world in B-52 and RC-135 aircraft and was stationed in California, North Dakota, Ohio, Nebraska, Alabama, Korea, and Colorado, with significant time spent on deployments to England, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and Japan.

He led an engineering division developing advanced electronic warfare systems for future aircraft. Rich directed airborne reconnaissance operations in Korea and was Deputy Commander of the Space Surveillance Network.

After leaving the military Rich worked as a contractor to the Air Force in development, modification, and maintenance of optical and radar ground-based and space-based surveillance systems. He was chief engineer for the development of a classified Air Force satellite communications system.

Questions regarding the meeting? Please email units@aps.org for assistance.