Introduction to Radio Astronomy by Justin Jonas
The intent of this short course is to provide an introduction to radio astronomy with a range of exit points (modules). The modules range from a non-technical overview through to a description of the operation of interferometer arrays, such as MeerKAT and the SKA. The first two modules are aimed at a general audience, with the last three intended for a more technical audience. Each module is intended to last one hour.
Module 1: The history of radio astronomy
An overview of the development of radio astronomy, from Karl Jansky’s serendipitous discovery of cosmic radio noise to the construction of the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. The narrative will include the genesis of radio astronomy in South Africa.
Module 2: Cosmic radio sources
Why does the sky appear to be different across the electromagnetic spectrum? An illustrated tour of the various types of cosmic radio sources, with a very simple explanation of their emission mechanism. The impact of RFI on radio astronomy is introduced.
Module 3: The astrophysics of cosmic radio sources
An elementary description of key astrophysical processes that are applicable to cosmic radio sources. This includes the physics underlying the emission processes and the processes that affect the propagation of radio waves through space.
Module 4: The fundamentals of radio telescopes
A functional description of a simple radio telescope, from the receptor antenna through to the recorded data. The emphasis is on dish receptors.
Module 5: Basic radiometry and interferometry
A deeper look at the signal path of a radio telescope, including the relationship between the sky signal and the recorded data, for both single-receptor instruments and interferometric arrays.
Background reading
This course is loosely based on the online textbook “Essential Radio Astronomy” by Jim Condon and Scott Ransom. Both authors are renowned radio astronomers, and both are significant users of the MeerKAT radio telescope. Jim is an expert in the field of radio galaxies, and Scott is a leading pulsar scientist.
The book includes physics background material that we will take as read in this course, and you are encouraged to read it for your own interest. We will instead focus on the application of the theoretical results to the understanding of astrophysical and astronomical phenomena, and in particular the application to observational radio astronomy.
There are two sets of my own notes that supplement and complement the material in the book:
● “Radio Telescopes and Radiometry” – an introduction to the low-level technologies and techniques associated with radio telescopes.
● “Fundamentals of Radiation and Radio Sources” – and overview of the physical processes responsible for observed radio emission and absorption by cosmic objects.
There is significant overlap between the textbook and my notes.
Classic radio astronomy textbooks include “Radio Astronomy” by J.D. Kraus (out of print) and “Tools of Radio Astronomy” by K. Rohlf & T.L. Wilson (A&A Library, Springer). “An introduction to Radio Astronomy” by B.F. Burke, F. Graham-Smith & P.N. Wilkinson (CUP) is a more contemporary overview by three pioneers in the field (MeerKAT features on the cover of the book).
Pulsar astronomy is covered by two books by leading scientists in the field who have deep connections with MeerKAT: “Pulsar Astronomy” by A. Lyne, F. Graham-Smith & B. Stappers (CUP) and “Handbook of Pulsar Astronomy” by D.R. Lorimer & M. Kramer (CUP).
The principles of radio interferometry are comprehensively covered in “Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy”, A.R. Thompson, J.M. Moran, G.W. Swenson, Third Edition (2017), A&A Library, Springer Open. (Available for free download from Springer).
