29th Annual Report (2016-17)

140 This detector is used to take readings of constant muon flux and determine mean lifetime. It is quite a rich experiment as it enables students to not only study astroparticle physics, but also quite a lot about nuclear and particle physics in general. Mean muon lifetime also serves as a test for Einstein’s special theory of relativity. Since 2012, the detector has been used for experiments in Savitribai Phule Pune UniversityM.Sc.Astronomy andAstrophysics specialization course, as well in RadioAstronomyWinter Schools. OtherExperiments Many small experiments are done in the lab, such as noise figure measurement of radio frequency amplifiers. Solar observations are taken at 10GHz with a satelliteTVdish antenna. This is a low cost and easily available radio telescope. Science day is an important event in IUCAA. It is the time of the year when IUCAA is open to general public all day along, and all the staff of IUCAA is involved in activities related to public outreach. The RPL has been demonstrating and explaining various astronomy related experiments over the years. This year, on February 28, 2017, we have presented the horn antenna designed for detection of atomic Hydrogen in our galaxy at 21 cmwavelength. Aquite similar antenna was used to discover the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation by Penzias andWilson back in in 1960s. The antenna came in handy to explain the working of radio telescopes to the public. We also have demonstrated the recently installed 3 metre antenna at RPL. A live demonstration of Hydrogen line detection was presented. The Cosmic Ray Muon Detector was on display showing live detection of muon particles created by cosmic rays in upper atmosphere. We presented a simple and low cost radio telescope using a dish TV antenna. Posters on history of radio astronomy, activities of RPLand a video display of upcoming radio telescopes were also presented. Science Day Astronomical Society of India (ASI)Meeting Astronomical Society of India (ASI) Meeting is an annual event, which provides a platform for presenting and propagating research in the field of astronomy. This year theASI meeting was held at Jaipur inMarch. RPLpresented 2 posters: (i) Hands onApproach to Radio Astronomy, and (ii) Dual Mode HornAntenna for Galactic 21 cm Hydrogen Line Observations. The second poster won the best poster award in the instrumentation category.