Radio Telescope Reflectors : Historical Development of Design and Construction / by Jacob W.M. Baars, Hans J Kärcher.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Baars, Jacob W.M., Author.

Kärcher, Hans J., Author.

Series:

Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 0067-0057 ; 447

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy--Observations.

Astronomy.

Astronomy—Observations.

Microwaves.

Optical engineering.

Lasers.

Photonics.

Technology—History.

History.

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

Microwaves, RF and Optical Engineering.

Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices.

History of Technology.

History of Science.

Local Subjects:

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

Microwaves, RF and Optical Engineering.

Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices.

History of Technology.

History of Science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (XIV, 275 p. 194 illus., 146 illus. in color.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2018.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2018.

Summary:

This book demonstrates how progress in radio astronomy is intimately linked to the development of reflector antennas of increasing size and precision. The authors describe the design and construction of major radio telescopes as those in Dwingeloo, Jodrell Bank, Parkes, Effelsberg and Green Bank since 1950 up to the present as well as millimeter wavelength telescopes as the 30m MRT of IRAM in Spain, the 50m LMT in Mexico and the ALMA submillimeter instrument. The advances in methods of structural design and coping with environmental influences (wind, temperature, gravity) as well as application of new materials are explained in a non-mathematical, descriptive and graphical way along with the story of the telescopes. Emphasis is placed on the interplay between astronomical and electromagnetic requirements and structural, mechanical and control solutions. A chapter on management aspects of large telescope projects closes the book. The authors address a readership with interest in the progress of engineering solutions applied to the development of radio telescope reflectors and ground station antennas for satellite communication and space research. The book will also be of interest to historians of science and engineering with an inclination to astronomy.

Contents:

Introduction

Evolution of the Telescope

Birth of Radio Astronomy

Structural Design of Reflector Antennas - Homology

Emergence of Millimeter-wavelength Telescopes

Submillimeter-wavelength Telescopes

Alternative Reflector Geometries

Electromagnetic Aspects of the Reflector Antenna

Design and Optimization methods

Verification - Surface and Pointing Measurement methods

Realization.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

3-319-65148-X