Observing Molecules With Radio Telescopes

Observing Molecules With Radio Telescopes Synopsis

More and more radio telescopes are moving to a model of facility-driven observations. Proposers are not expected to be 'black belt' radio astronomers, merely to propose feasible observations with good science. Yet, planning and analyzing these observations still requires foundational knowledge of how to treat molecular signals. Most astronomy graduate curricula include only a brief mention of these skills, and many astronomers find themselves unprepared to propose observations of molecular lines that could otherwise be extraordinarily useful for their science. What's more, the resources that are available are typically extremely low-level, providing nitty gritty details and equations, but little practical advice. There is a glaring need for a practical, step-by-step guide of how to consider, plan, execute, and analyze observations that does not get bogged down in the underlying details.