Essential Radio Astronomy (Princeton Series in Modern Observational Astronomy, 2)

__Essential Radio Astronomy__ is the only textbook on the subject specifically designed for a one-semester introductory course for advanced undergraduates or graduate students in astronomy and astrophysics. It starts from first principles in order to fill gaps in students' backgrounds, make teaching easier for professors who are not expert radio astronomers, and provide a useful reference to the essential equations used by practitioners. This unique textbook reflects the fact that students of multiwavelength astronomy typically can afford to spend only one semester studying the observational techniques particular to each wavelength band. __Essential Radio Astronomy__ presents only the most crucial concepts―succinctly and accessibly. It covers the general principles behind radio telescopes, receivers, and digital backends without getting bogged down in engineering details. Emphasizing the physical processes in radio sources, the book's approach is shaped by the view that radio astrophysics owes more to thermodynamics than electromagnetism. Proven in the classroom and generously illustrated throughout, __Essential Radio Astronomy__ is an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike. * The only textbook specifically designed for a one-semester course in radio astronomy * Starts from first principles * Makes teaching easier for astronomy professors who are not expert radio astronomers * Emphasizes the physical processes in radio sources * Covers the principles behind radio telescopes and receivers * Provides the essential equations and fundamental constants used by practitioners * Supplementary website includes lecture notes, problem sets, exams, and links to interactive demonstrations * An online illustration package is available to professors The ideal text for a one-semester course in radio astronomy Essential Radio Astronomy is the only textbook on the subject specifically designed for a one-semester introductory course for advanced undergraduates or graduate students in astronomy and astrophysics. It starts from first principles in order to fill gaps in students' backgrounds, make teaching easier for professors who are not expert radio astronomers, and provide a useful reference to the essential equations used by practitioners. This unique textbook reflects the fact that students of multiwavelength astronomy typically can afford to spend only one semester studying the observational techniques particular to each wavelength band. Essential Radio Astronomy presents only the most crucial concepts--succinctly and accessibly. It covers the general principles behind radio telescopes, receivers, and digital backends without getting bogged down in engineering details. Emphasizing the physical processes in radio sources, the book's approach is shaped by the view that radio astrophysics owes more to thermodynamics than electromagnetism. Proven in the classroom and generously illustrated throughout, Essential Radio Astronomy is an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike. The only textbook specifically designed for a one-semester course in radio astronomy Starts from first principles Makes teaching easier for astronomy professors who are not expert radio astronomers Emphasizes the physical processes in radio sources Covers the principles behind radio telescopes and receivers Provides the essential equations and fundamental constants used by practitioners Supplementary website includes lecture notes, problem sets, exams, and links to interactive demonstrations An online illustration package is available to professors Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 An Introduction to Radio Astronomy -- 1.2 The Discovery of Cosmic Radio Noise -- 1.3 A Tour of the Radio Universe -- 2 Radiation Fundamentals -- 2.1 Brightness and Flux Density -- 2.2 Radiative Transfer -- 2.3 Polarization -- 2.4 Blackbody Radiation -- 2.5 Noise Generated by a Warm Resistor -- 2.6 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation -- 2.7 Radiation from an Accelerated Charge -- 2.8 Dust Emission at Radio Wavelengths -- 3 Radio Telescopes and Radiometers -- 3.1 Antenna Fundamentals -- 3.2 Reflector Antennas -- 3.3 Two-Dimensional Aperture Antennas -- 3.4 Waveguides -- 3.5 Radio Telescopes -- 3.6 Radiometers -- 3.7 Interferometers -- 4 Free-Free Radiation -- 4.1 Thermal and Nonthermal Emission -- 4.2 HII Regions -- 4.3 Free-Free Radio Emission from HII Regions -- 5 Synchrotron Radiation -- 5.1 Magnetobremsstrahlung -- 5.2 Synchrotron Power -- 5.3 Synchrotron Spectra -- 5.4 Synchrotron Sources -- 5.5 Inverse-Compton Scattering -- 5.6 Extragalactic Radio Sources -- 6 Pulsars -- 6.1 Pulsar Properties -- 6.2 Pulsars and the Interstellar Medium -- 6.3 Pulsar Timing -- 7 Spectral Lines -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Recombination Lines -- 7.3 Line Radiative Transfer -- 7.4 Excitation Temperature -- 7.5 Masers -- 7.6 Recombination Line Sources -- 7.7 Molecular Line Spectra -- 7.8 The HI 21-cm Line -- A Fourier Transforms -- A.1 The Fourier Transform -- A.2 The Discrete Fourier Transform -- A.3 The Sampling Theorem -- A.4 The Power Spectrum -- A.5 Basic Transforms -- A.6 Basic Fourier Theorems -- A.7 Convolution and Cross-Correlation -- A.8 Other Fourier Transform Links -- B Mathematical Derivations -- B.1 Evaluation of Planck's Sum -- B.2 Derivation of the Stefan-Boltzmann Law -- B.3 Complex Exponentials Essential Radio Astronomy Is The Only Textbook On The Subject Specifically Designed For A One-semester Introductory Course For Advanced Undergraduates Or Graduate Students In Astronomy And Astrophysics. It Starts From First Principles In Order To Fill Gaps In Students' Backgrounds, Make Teaching Easier For Professors Who Are Not Expert Radio Astronomers, And Provide A Useful Reference To The Essential Equations Used By Practitioners. This Unique Textbook Reflects The Fact That Students Of Multiwavelength Astronomy Typically Can Afford To Spend Only One Semester Studying The Observational Techniques Particular To Each Wavelength Band. Essential Radio Astronomy Presents Only The Most Crucial Concepts—succinctly And Accessibly. It Covers The General Principles Behind Radio Telescopes, Receivers, And Digital Backends Without Getting Bogged Down In Engineering Details. Emphasizing The Physical Processes In Radio Sources, The Book's Approach Is Shaped By The View That Radio Astrophysics Owes More To Thermodynamics Than Electromagnetism. Proven In The Classroom And Generously Illustrated Throughout, Essential Radio Astronomy Is An Invaluable Resource For Students And Researchers Alike.--publisher's Description. Introduction -- Radiation Fundamentals -- Radio Telescopes And Radiometers -- Free-free Radiation -- Synchrotron Radiation -- Pulsars -- Spectral Lines -- Fourier Transforms -- Mathematical Derivations -- Special Relativity -- Wave Propagation In A Plasma -- Essential Equations -- Constants, Units, And Dimensions -- Symbols And Abbreviations -- References And Links. James J. Condon And Scott M. Ransom. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 351-356) And Index. B.4 The Fourier Transform of a Gaussian -- B.5 The Gaussian Probability Distribution and Noise Voltage -- B.6 The Probability Distribution of Noise Power -- B.7 Evaluation of the Free-Free Pulse Energy Integral -- B.8 The Nonrelativistic Maxwellian Speed Distribution -- C Special Relativity -- C.1 Relativity -- C.2 Time Dilation and Length Contraction -- C.3 Velocity Addition Formulas -- C.4 Mass, Energy, and Power -- D Wave Propagation in a Plasma -- D.1 Dispersion and Reflection in a Low-Density Plasma -- D.2 Faraday Rotation in a Magnetized Plasma -- E Essential Equations -- F Constants, Units, and Dimensions -- F.1 Physical Constants -- F.2 Astronomical Constants -- F.3 MKS (SI) and Gaussian CGS Units -- F.4 Other Constants and Units -- F.5 Radar and Waveguide Frequency Bands -- F.6 Dimensional Analysis -- G Symbols and Abbreviations -- G.1 Greek Symbols -- G.2 Other Symbols and Abbreviations -- H References and Links -- H.1 Reference Books -- H.2 Links -- Bibliography -- Index