An Introduction to Radio Astronomy

Radio astronomy uses unique observational techniques and offers the only way to investigate many phenomena in the Universe. This book, by two founders of the field, presents both a clear introduction to radio telescopes and techniques and a broad overview of the radio universe. In the first half of the book, we are shown clearly how radio telescopes work - from basic antennas and single aperture dishes through to full aperture synthesis arrays. In the second half, a wide-ranging and up-to-date review is provided of radio observations of our Milky Way galaxy, stars, pulsars, radio galaxies, quasars and the cosmic microwave background. Handy reviews of Fourier Transform theory, celestial co-ordinate systems and a historical outline of the subject are provided in appendices. Wide-ranging and clearly written, this book provides a thorough introduction to the subject for graduate students, and an invaluable overview for researchers turning to radio astronomy for the first time.