MG12 - Talk detail |
Participant |
Kanekar, Nissim | |
Institution |
National Radio Astronomy Observatory - 1003 Lopezville Road - Socorro - New Mexico - USA | |
Session |
Talk |
Abstract |
EG2 |
Probing fundamental constant evolution with radio spectroscopy |
Astrophysical studies of redshifted spectral lines provide a powerful probe of changes in low-energy fundamental constants over a large lookback time. I will describe a new radio technique to measure changes in the fine structure constant, the proton-electron mass ratio and the proton gyromagnetic ratio, using ``conjugate'' satellite OH 18cm lines, which is far less susceptible to systematic effects than other methods. I will also report recent results from radio studies of fundamental constant evolution, based on three techniques: (1) ``conjugate'' satellite OH 18cm lines, (2) comparisons between OH 18cm and HI 21cm redshifts, and (3) comparisons between NH3 (inversion) and rotational redshifts. Finally, I will discuss the likely improvements to such studies with the advent of new telescopes over the next decade. |