PBS Space Time Season 2019 Episode 25 Exploring a HUGE Radio Telescope in VR 180

PBS Space Time season 2019 episode 25 titled "Exploring a HUGE Radio Telescope in VR 180" takes viewers on an immersive journey to explore one of the most complex scientific instruments on Earth, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. Hosted by astrophysicist Matt O'Dowd, the episode showcases how cutting-edge technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Radio Interferometry allow scientists to study the universe in unprecedented detail.

The episode begins with O'Dowd providing an overview of ALMA and what it does, highlighting the telescope's unique capability to detect signals from cosmic objects that emit millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths of light. Viewers get to see some of the stunning images captured by the telescope, including the birth of stars in the Orion Nebula and the discovery of complex organic molecules in interstellar space.

The highlight of the episode is the VR experience, where O'Dowd takes viewers through a guided tour of ALMA's enormous antennas and the control room where scientists operate the telescope. Filmed in 180-degree panorama format, the VR footage lets viewers experience the telescope's vastness and complexity firsthand. From the ground level, viewers can appreciate the sheer size of the antennas, which are taller than a 10-story building and weigh over 100 tons each. O'Dowd describes how the antennas work together to capture signals from space and combine them to form detailed images of celestial objects.

The VR tour moves on to the control room, where O'Dowd explains how scientists process the data collected by ALMA to produce images and maps of the universe. He also shares some of the groundbreaking discoveries made possible by ALMA, including the first direct observation of a black hole and the detection of water on a distant protoplanetary disk.

Throughout the episode, O'Dowd introduces viewers to some of the scientists who work at ALMA and their research, providing a glimpse into the exciting world of astronomy research. He also touches on some of the challenges faced by scientists in studying the universe, such as the need to filter out interference from sources on Earth that can be mistaken for signals from space.

Overall, PBS Space Time season 2019 episode 25 provides a fascinating look into the world of radio astronomy, showing how technology and scientific knowledge continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. Whether you're an astronomy enthusiast or someone curious about the technology behind scientific research, this episode is a must-see.