Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy

by A. Richard Thompson, James M. Moran, George W. Swenson Jr.

Overview

In this second edition of Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, three leading figures in the development of large imaging arrays, including very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), describe and explain the technology that provides images of the universe with an angular resolution as fine as 1/20,000 of an arcsecond.

This comprehensive volume begins with a historical review followed by detailed coverage of the theory of interferometry and synthesis imaging, analysis of interferometer response, geometrical relationships, polarimetry, antennas, and arrays. Discussion of the receiving system continues with analysis of the response to signals and noise, analog design requirements, and digital signal processing. The authors detail special requirements of VLBI including atomic frequency standards, broadband recording systems, and antennas in orbit. Further major topics include:

• Calibration of data and synthesis of images
• Image enhancement using nonlinear algorithms
• Techniques for astrometry and geodesy
• Propagation in the neutral atmosphere and ionized media
• Radio interference
• Related techniques: intensity interferometry, moon occultations, antenna holography, and optical interferometry

”This edition meets current demands by providing a comprehensive account of the techniques used today.“ (La Doc STI)

[…] The up-to-date edition of Thompson [...] with its exhaustive bibliography, becomes the indispensable source of background for those already in, or considering, radio astronomy.“ (The Observatory)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319444291
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	02/25/2017
Series:	Astronomy and Astrophysics Library
Edition description:	3rd ed. 2017
Pages:	872
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

A. Richard Thompson, PhD, has been associated with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in numerous capacities for more than 27 years.

James M. Moran, PhD, is a senior scientist at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University.

George W. Swenson, Jr., PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering and of Astronomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition xix

Preface to the First Edition xxi

1 Introduction and Historical Review 1

2 Introductory Thcory of Interferometry and Synthesis Imaging 50

3 Analysis of the Interferometer Response 68

4 Geometric Relationships and Polarimetry 86

5 Antennas and Arrays 122

6 Response of the Receiving System 168

7 Design of the Analog Receiving System 212

8 Digital Signal Processing 254

9 Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry 304

10 Calibration and Fourier Transformation of Visibility Data 383

11 Deconvolution, Adaptive Calibration, and Applications 426

12 Interferometer Techniques for Astrometry and Geodesy 467

13 Propagation Effects 507

14 Van Cittert-Zernike Theorem, Spatial Coherence, and Scattering 594

15 Radio Interference 613

16 Related Techniques 627

Principal Symbols 655

Author Index 667

Subject Index 677

Editorial Reviews

"this edition meets current demands by providing a comprehensive account of the techniques used today." (La Doc STI, May 2001)

"...the up-to-date edition of Thompson...with its exhaustive bibliography, becomes the indispensable source of background for those already in, or considering, radio astronomy." (The Observatory, Vol. 122, No. 1166, February 2002)

From the Publisher