Open Skies: The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Its Impact on Us Radio Astronomy - Hardcover

by Kenneth I. Kellermann (Author), Ellen N. Bouton (Author), Sierra S. Brandt (Author)

This open access book on the history of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory covers the scientific discoveries and technical innovations of late 20th century radio astronomy with particular attention to the people and institutions involved. The authors have made extensive use of the NRAO Archives, which contain an unparalleled collection of documents pertaining to the history of radio astronomy, including the institutional records of NRAO as well as the personal papers of many of the pioneers of U.S. radio astronomy. Technical details and extensive citations to original sources are given in notes for the more technical readers, but are not required for an understanding of the body of the book.

Back Jacket

Apart from the scientific discoveries and technical innovations of late 20^th century radio astronomy, this open access book on radio astronomy development in the U.S. gives particular attention to the people and institutions involved. The authors have made extensive use of the NRAO Archives, which contain an unparalleled collection of documents pertaining to the history of radio astronomy. They also include the institutional records of NRAO as well as the personal papers of many of the pioneers of U.S. radio astronomy. Technical details and extensive citations to original sources are given in notes for the more technical readers, but are not required for an understanding of the body of the book.

This book is intended for an audience ranging from interested lay readers to professional researchers studying the scientific, technical, political, and cultural development of a new science, and how it changed the course of 20th century astronomy.

Author Biography

K. I. Kellermann has 60 years of experience in radio astronomy including more than 50 years at NRAO. He is the former Chair of the IAU Historical Radio Astronomy Working Group, and editor of several books on the history of radio astronomy.

E. N. Bouton has been at NRAO for more than 40 years, first as Librarian and for the last 16 years as the Archivist.

S. S. Brandt is an historian of science who has worked with the NRAO Archives for the past eight years.