
Signal Sleuths: Uncovering Radio Frequency Interference
White Bars
In the image you will notice four white bars. These bars appear in every data image you will analyze. They are white because the signals are so strong they have been removed from the data. If these signals weren’t removed, they would hide (or mask) the weaker signals. The horizonal bar, labeled A, is the signal from the sun. This bar shows up when the sun is directly above the CHIME telescope. The time of day this signal appears will change depending on the season, because the sun’s position in the sky shifts. The three vertical white bars are signals from the strongest Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT/DTV) channels outside the Quiet Zone. These stations are thought to be outside the Quiet Zone because they broadcast powerful signals in all directions. The stations within the Quiet Zone usually have limits on how much power they can send the GBO. You will notice that these three signals are the same width. That is because the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigns (or allocates) 6 MHz to each DTT station. They are expected to stay within this range, and they could face fines if they broadcast outside of it.

This work is funded through NSF Award # 2232159
