Whistle of Wind represents a pioneering initiative in the field of radio astronomy. It consists of a scalable network of medium-radio telescopes, which has the objective of carrying out mapping of the sky, monitoring radio sources (such as pulsars, active galaxies and other radio sources), observing phenomena such as the climate and weather events, and detect electromagnetic disturbances.
Thanks to the use of medium-sized radio telescopes, the project has the advantage of being able to be scaled, i.e. expanded with the addition of new instruments and stations. This allows you to create a collaborative network between various observation sites, optimizing sky coverage and improving the resolution of the data collected. This feature also makes the system suitable for various applications, not only astronomical but also meteorological and for monitoring the electromagnetic environment.
The working band covers frequencies between 1 GHz and 20 GHz, making it possible to observe various phenomena, including in particular neutral hydrogen, which has a characteristic emission line at 1.42 GHz (21 cm), formaldehyde (H2CO) and methanol (CH3OH). This observation is crucial for studying the structure of the galaxy and the universe.
Whistle of Wind makes use of advanced software and tools enable scanning and acquisition of spectrograms, while also offering capabilities for visualization and analysis of data efficiently. These capabilities are fundamental for interpreting the radio signals collected by radio telescopes and for processing information from astrophysical and atmospheric phenomena.
The data collected by each antenna is processed in real time via dedicated software that performs all the necessary calculations. This software is publicly available on GitHub (collaborative development platform), thus allowing the scientific community and enthusiasts to access and contribute to the development of the project. The availability of the software in open-source on GitHub facilitates the expansion of the system and the integration of new technologies or improvements, increasing participation and accessibility for radio astronomy research.
Whistle of Wind highlights the growing need for a highly skilled workforce, trained in telecommunications, research, data analysis, computer science, physics and mathematics.
As the project expands, there will be an increased demand for experts who can manage and interpret the vast amounts of data it collects, making training a critical component of its long-term success. This initiative provides an ideal platform to establish an innovative training program built around its technological and scientific infrastructure, which is unique not only in Italy but also in Europe.
Such a school would foster the development of multidisciplinary skills, ensuring that future generations of researchers, engineers and scientists are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to advance the fields of radio astronomy, telecommunications and atmospheric sciences.
The school would focus on providing hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Students and professionals would have access to software, data analysis tools and radio telescope networks, allowing them to test new technologies, acquire or experiment with existing instrumentation.