This session will explore the future of radio astronomy — from next-generation facilities and the challenges of the big data era, to key research areas including pulsars, transients, fast radio bursts, all-sky surveys, and galaxy studies. It will also cover how ongoing programs and citizen science initiatives are opening new opportunities to bring these developments into educational settings.

Schedule

• Listening to the Invisible Universe: A Historical Journey of Radio Astronomy

  
  

  Radio astronomy opened a new window on the Universe by allowing us to observe beyond visible light. Its history links fundamental physics, wireless communication, and astronomical discovery, from the development of electromagnetic theory to Karl Jansky’s first detection of cosmic radio waves and Grote Reber’s pioneering radio maps. This talk gives a broad historical overview of radio astronomy, introduces how radio telescopes differ from optical telescopes, and highlights their role in modern astronomy. It also discusses how technologies developed through radio astronomy have found applications beyond astronomy, contributing to everyday life and technological innovation.

  

  Taehyun Jung (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute)

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• Wide Area Radio Frequency Surveys

  
  

  In this presentation I aim to give an overview of previous, ongoing and upcoming wide area radio frequency surveys. I shall also outline some of the exciting and varied science that such surveys can facilitate.

  

  Timothy Shimwell (Leiden Observatory / ASTRON)

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• iDaVIE: Enabling Scientific Exploration of Astronomical and Multidisciplinary Datasets Using Immersive Technologies

  
  

  With the advent of ever-sophisticated facilities and advanced technological capabilities, data complexity, data storage and data visualisation present the scientific community - in every field - with new challenges. To support the astronomical community and in preparation for the SKA era, the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA) Visualisation Lab (https://vislab.idia.ac.za) is thus exploring new approaches to handle the exploration and detailed interrogation of big multi-parametric datasets, exploiting both cloud-based computing and immersive technologies. In my talk, I will introduce the IDIA software suite iDaVIE (immersive Data Visualisation Interactive Explorer - https://idavie.readthedocs.io/). iDaVIE combines virtual reality (VR) technology and custom-built software to work with multi-parametric particle and volumetric datasets, enabling user interaction and immersive exploration of 3D data. Originally developed to serve the astronomical community, the software can be easily adapted to ingest non-astronomical datasets, and it thus represents a resource for the entire scientific community. In my talk, I will present the software, some of the discoveries it has already enabled and the possible multi-disciplinary applications we are currently exploring for further development.

  

  Lucia Marchetti (University of Cape Town, South Africa / UCT/IDIA Visualisation Lab)

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• Lego ALMA: Redesigning a tangible interface for communicating radio interferometry

  
  

  Interferometry enables some of today’s most advanced astronomical imaging, yet its principles are hard to explain to audiences used to conventional cameras and telescopes. Lego ALMA is a tangible exhibit where visitors move antennas and discover how array configuration shapes image formation, usually guided by an expert. Building on earlier work in Bonn, Vienna and ESO, we redesigned an installation at Onsala Space Observatory. Using successive prototypes and iterative testing with 150 users (mainly school classes, ages 8 to 17) we simplified the interface and added animation based guidance, successfully enabling independent exploration, and increasing engagement with interferometry concepts. Most visitors needed no assistance, though some prioritised physical play over on screen cues.

  

  Robert Cumming (Onsala Space Observatory, Chalmers University of Technology)

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• Educating the public in Swinburne's Virtual Universe

  
  

  Swinburne University of Technology recently constructed a large-scale immersive 3D screen for the communication of science, dubbed "Swinburne's Virtual Universe". Patrons experience real-time generation of vivid 3D astronomy imagery using shutter glasses and the LED wall. In this talk I will demonstrate use of the software that drives the wall, and how it is being used to communicate the science of astronomy with examples from pulsar science and radio astronomy.

  

  Matthew Bailes (Swinburne University of Technology, ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery)

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• Exploring Galaxy Evolution with Next-Generation Radio Telescopes

  
  

  Radio astronomy enables us to investigate the remarkable diversity of galaxies by measuring the molecular gas reservoirs that fuel star formation and by studying how supermassive black holes regulate galaxy growth. In this talk, we will highlight the transformative contributions of current facilities such as ALMA and the VLA, while also discussing their present limitations. We will then explore how next-generation radio observatories will revolutionize the field by delivering sensitivities and angular resolutions up to an order of magnitude better than those available today, enabling discoveries that will be carried out by the future generation of radio astronomers — many of whom are currently primary and secondary school students.

  

  Eric Faustino Jimenez-Andrade (Institute for Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics - UNAM)

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• The SKA telescopes and the Future of Astronomy: New Science, New Skills, New Opportunities for Education

  
  
  

  Olga Bayandina (SKAO)

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• AGN Feedback through the Eyes of Radio Astronomy

  
  

  Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are galaxies that host accreting supermassive black holes. These powerful sources inject enormous amounts of energy into their surroundings, influencing how galaxies evolve through AGN feedback. Radio astronomy provides a unique window into AGN feedback revealing both aged emission from past AGN activity and recently accelerated particles associated with jets. Together, these observations allow astronomers to understand the impact AGN have on host galaxies. I will introduce AGN feedback and discuss both evidence for its role in galaxy evolution. I will highlight the crucial role of radio astronomy in revealing the influence of AGN on their host galaxies, and present cutting-edge research being undertaken with the latest generation of radio facilities.

  

  Emmy Escott (CSIRO)

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• Hunting for Fast Radio Burst. An Interactive Activity to Simulate Astrophysics Research

  
  

  “Hunting for FRBs” is an educational activity designed to simulate the core processes of scientific research. Participants are provided with a radio astronomy dataset and tasked with searching for a short-duration radio signal - a Fast Radio Burst (FRB) - after filtering out radio frequency interference. The activity is available for free on EduINAF and has recently been transformed into an interactive exhibit for a visitor center. In this talk, I will present the educational value of this activity: how it conveys the authentical nature of scientific inquiry, the challenges and choices behind its adaptation into a physical exhibit, and future developments.

  

  Rachele Toniolo (INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari)

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• Bringing STEM to Life through Radio Astronomy in Schools

  
  

  Drawing on experiences from the RADIIO project in Pakistan, Greece, and China, this presentation explores how radio astronomy can engage students and teachers in authentic STEM learning. Through online seminars, citizen science, student research projects, radio antenna construction, and international collaboration, participants developed scientific skills while connecting with peers across countries. By providing schools with equipment, educational resources, and ongoing teacher support, the project demonstrates a scalable model for bringing radio astronomy into classrooms worldwide.

  

  Hira Fatima (University of Karachi)

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• Radio Galaxy Zoo: EMU - a learning-by-doing citizen science platform for radio astronomy education

  
  

  Radio Galaxy Zoo: Evolutionary Map of the Universe (RGZ-EMU) is the latest development of Radio Galaxy Zoo, an international citizen science project associated with the IAU OAD and SKAO communities. In the era of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), RGZ-EMU addresses a key challenge in radio astronomy: identifying, classifying, and cross-matching millions of radio sources across multiple wavebands to build reliable value-added catalogues. In this talk, I will introduce how RGZ-EMU operates as a human-AI citizen science platform, showing how citizen scientists, professional astronomers, educators, and machine-learning tools contribute to the discovery workflow. I will present early science results, discuss how volunteers learn about radio galaxies through source identification, and briefly describe how the platform supports astronomy education and public engagement.

  

  Tang Hongming (Xi'an jiaotong-Liverpool University)

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• SKAO Tabletop Radio Telescope (TTRT) – A Fun, Educational Outreach Tool for All Ages

  
  

  The SKAO Table-top Radio Telescope (TTRT) is a portable radio astronomy antenna that provides real-time observations of the Milky Way. As a hands-on outreach tool, users point the antenna and trigger the observation themselves, receiving a live observation of neutral galactic hydrogen in less than 30 seconds. It has been used across the world to demonstrate both simple and complex scientific concepts to all ages, fostering interest in astronomy and wider STEM subjects. Free build guides and software are hosted at SKAO.int for anyone who wants to build their own TTRT. This presentation will showcase how the TTRT supports inquiry-based STEM learning and provides an authentic introduction to radio astronomy without requiring access to specialist facilities.

  

  Matthew Taylor (SKAO)

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• Radio Astronomy: A Work Experience Program

  
  

  VSSEC has been operating Radio Astronomy programs for secondary school students since 2020. They have been delivered in many forms: online, in-person outreach, onsite at VSSEC, and most successfully as a week-long work experience program. This talk will explore how the program operates, as well as the successes and challenges of delivering highly scientific astrophysics content to secondary school students.

  

  Emma Barnett (Victorian Space Science Education Centre)

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• Learning Radio Astronomy by Doing It

  
  

  Explicitly introducing radio waves and radio astronomical technologies and observing methods can be extremely challenging. Especially when addressing children. We have designed dedicated interactive and playful activities for preschools (aged 3-6) and primary school children (aged 6-12). These activities focus on specific and simple concepts related to radio astronomy, such as the challenge of observing what is invisible to our eyes, the signal maximization, the mirror accuracy of radio telescopes and the resolution at different wavelengths. Such concepts are directly experienced, rather than being explained and passively listened to. Here I will present: 1) “radio treasure hunt” activity, a treasure hunt using radio transmitters and antennas (borrowed from the “fox hunting” of radio amateurs); 2) the “hunting for radio waves”, in which children experiment how different materials (and different accuracies of those) interact with radio waves; 3) the “talking ‘bout resolution” activity in which colored pegs are used to build images at different resolution. I will also overview the new activity for preschool children “It’s there, though you can’t see it” in which storytelling and personal experience lead are used to make participants experiment how different wavelengths behave as different languages and need different instruments to be revealed and understood. All activities have been tested and some or also under evaluation for their potential in engaging children with science and its methods.

  

  Stefania Varano (INAF)

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Posters

• A Student-Led Radio Telescope Project for Astronomy Education

  PRACHI YADAV (Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi)

  Radio astronomy provides students with hands-on exposure to observational astronomy, signal processing, and computational analysis. The Physics Astronomy Club of Kirori Mal College initiated a student-led radio telescope project to detect the neutral hydrogen (HI) 21 cm line at 1420 MHz using low-cost instrumentation. Students participated in data collection, RFI filtering, FFT analysis, power spectrum computation, and GNU Radio-based processing. Initial observations indicated a detectable HI signal near the expected frequency range, encouraging further student-led studies. The project demonstrates how low-cost radio astronomy initiatives can provide practical astronomy training opportunities in institutions with limited observational facilities.

• Bringing Radio Astronomy to the Classroom: A Low-Cost SDR Telescope for HI Detection

  David Cherres (Escuela Politécnica Nacional)

  Observing neutral hydrogen (HI) is crucial for Milky Way kinematics, but expensive facilities limit STEM access in developing nations. We present a low-cost Software Defined Radio (SDR) telescope built and calibrated for 1420.4 MHz. It features a pyramidal horn antenna (20.6° resolution) and a 65 MHz bandwidth RF filter. Using standard position-switching (ON/OFF), we detected HI emissions across various Milky Way regions. By measuring positions along galactic arms, we determined the galaxy's rotational velocity. These results validate the instrument's viability for astrophysical data acquisition. This affordable model overcomes economic barriers, establishing a foundation for science education and radio astronomy in resource-limited regions.

• Does The Moon Block Or Reflect Radio Waves From The Sun

  Thomas Quayle (Clark Planetarium)

  When astronauts were sent to the Moon, they experienced periods of radio blackout with mission controllers here on Earth. Is this a result of weak signals being used, or the structure and properties of the Moon? The Sun produces light across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including radio. To demonstrate this, a simple satellite radio dish can be attached to a signal finder and aimed at objects known to produce signals (like the Sun). We know that the Moon blocks the Sun’s light during an eclipse. Using this phenomenon, we can conduct a test to see if it blocks more than just visible light, in this case, radio waves.

• Exploring Galactic Ecosystems – The Nebular Wellsprings of Stars, Planets, and Life

  William H. Waller (The Galactic Inquirer, IAU/OAE/NAEC)

  It is not an exaggeration to state that galactic ecosystems have spawned pretty much everything that we hold dear – including ourselves. These nebular nurseries have incubated all the stars, planetary systems, and many of the complex molecules known to humanity. In my presentation, I will introduce galactic ecosystems of varying size and what they can tell us about our cosmic origins. A new book on this subject has been published by Springer-Nature ... https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-17258-7. It is suitable for astronomy enthusiasts, including high-school and college students,

• From Teacher to Pupil to Famous Astronomers – how a small town became The Cradle of Modern Astronomy

  Hubbell J. William

  LIGHT & INSPIRING: For Astronomy Educators (where a focus is radio astronomy) this presenter brings an inspiring educator’s story to life- from the earliest days of radio astronomy. Grote Reber, creator of the very first parabolic RT, built in his backyard, had a neighbor who was advancing in his own scientific career at the very same time: Edwin Hubble. Not only did they share an educational foundation at the same school, Mr. Hubble’s 7th grade teacher was Harriet Grote – Mr. Reber’s mother! Discover how an unknown teacher helped lay the foundation to a science you all have all chosen. The presentation includes an historian who had direct correspondence w/ Mr. Reber near the end of his career. (His original structure now resides at the museum in Green Bank, West Virginia)

• Hands-On Radio Astronomy Training in a Mathematics Department

  Aya Higuchi (Musashino University)

  In April 2025, we launched a new astronomy lab in the Department of Mathematical Engineering at Musashino University for students strong in mathematics but new to astrophysics. We introduced hands-on training at two facilities: Ibaraki University's Hitachi and Takahagi 32 m telescopes, where students learn intensity calibration and measure atmospheric opacity, and NAOJ's Nobeyama 45 m telescope, where they plan and run mapping observations. We present the curriculum design, examples of student work, and lessons learned from running this program inside a mathematics department.

• Masers and Their Role in Understanding Massive Star Formation

  Mohamed Darwish

  Massive stars play a fundamental role in shaping galaxies through radiation, winds, and supernova explosions. However, their earliest formation stages remain poorly understood due to large distances, short timescales, and heavy dust obscuration in natal environments. Cosmic masers provide a powerful probe of these embedded regions. Emission from molecules such as CH3OH, H2O, and OH arises under specific physical conditions linked to massive protostars. Their high brightness and compactness enable high-sensitivity, high-resolution observations. Masers trace early evolutionary stages, often before detectable H II regions form. Combined with multi-wavelength data, they constrain physical conditions, kinematics, and evolution, offering key insights into massive star formation processes.

• Radio Astronomy Observing and Outreach Program at the National Air and Space Museum

  Shauna Edson (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

  Radio astronomy is rarely experienced by the public despite its fundamental role in modern astronomy. This poster describes the development and implementation of a radio astronomy education and outreach program at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum centered on a functioning radio telescope. Through live demonstrations, visitors are introduced to the invisible universe by detecting radio waves from astronomical sources and learning how astronomers use observations across the electromagnetic spectrum to study the cosmos. Visitor feedback is presented to evaluate engagement, learning, and overall program experience. Because the detected radio signals are translated into sound, the program also provides an accessible experience for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

• Using professional radio astronomy datasets to enhance undergraduate skills

  Megan Argo (University of Lancashire)

  Astronomy is unusual in that so much professional level data collected by research-grade telescopes is freely available. As technology has advanced and capabilities have improved, more data are available. In undergraduate laboratory classes I have developed experiments that make use of professional datasets from radio astronomy facilities to enable students to get a feel for a new area within their field of study and to stimulate improvements in their coding abilities. In this contribution I will show an example of using a neutral hydrogen survey of the Milky Way galaxy to help students understand coordinate systems and explore the structure of our Galaxy, as well as introduce them to spectral line techniques, improve their programming skills, and offer them an open-ended investigation.