Tools of Radio Astronomy (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387161880 ISBN 13: 9780387161884

Synopsis

The first part of this book gives a complete introduction to the instrumentation and techniques needed for radioastronomical research. After a thorough survey of electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna theory and the design of receivers are dealt with. Radiation mechanisms relevant to radio astronomy are the subject of the second part of the book. Discussions of the 21cm line of hydrogen, the recombination lines, and the emission from interstellar molecules illuminate those tools of radioastronomy which allow the derivation of the physical parameters of interstellar medium.

About this title

Review

From the reviews of the fifth edition: "A very significant change from earlier versions is the addition of problem sets at the ends of each of the 16 chapters … . the discussion of instrumentation and data collection and processing which looks forward to ALMA and the SKA, making the volume useful, the authors hope, for radio engineers (a grand old name, which they apply to Jansky and Reber) as well as radio astronomers … . I’m sure you will find this iteration … as useful as the previous four." (Virginia Trimble, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1211), August, 2009) "The publication of a fifth edition of Tools of Radio Astronomy is in itself proof of the success of the book. … will be useful to communication engineers, a claim about which one can have some reservations. … this up-to-date version will be of invaluable use to the observational astronomer. … provides a toolbox of essential material, in particular in the area of the analysis and interpretation of radio-astronomy observations. The book should be on the desk of every practicing radio astronomer … ." (Jacob W. M. Baars, The Radio Science Bulletin, Issue 330, September, 2009)

From the Back Cover

The recent years have seen breathtaking progress in technology, especially in the receiver and digital technologies relevant for radio astronomy, which has at the same time advanced to shorter wavelengths. This is the updated and completely revised 5th edition of the most used introductory text in radio astronomy. It presents a unified treatment of the entire field from centimeter to sub-millimeter wavelengths. Topics covered include instruments, sensitivity considerations, observational methods and interpretations of the data recorded with both single dishes and interferometers. This text is useful to both students and experienced practicing astronomers. Besides making major updates and additions throughout the book, the authors have re-organized a number of chapters to more clearly separate basic theory from rapidly evolving practical aspects. Further, problem sets have been added at the end of each chapter.

Edition details

• ISBN 10: 0387161880
• ISBN 13: 9780387161884
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English