Detecting pulsars with ground equipment
I am helping someone writing a story about a gate to another world being found on earth. He mentioned that astrophysicists will be part of the research team that goes through. I suggested that he have them look at pulsars to determine if this world is anywhere near Earth by finding a known pulsar (identifying by its unique radio signature knocks). Is it possible to do this with ground equipment that can be pushed through the portal from Earth, or will they have to leave it as a long term goal? Note that the rules of transit in the story are that only inanimate objects can return to Earth from the portal and it is a one way trip for living beings unless the gate is altered. What I have found online is inconclusive. It seems likely that detecting them might be possible but that heavier equipment is needed to determine how far away they are.