Galactic and Extragalactic Radio Astronomy is a fundamental text for graduate students and professional astronomers and covers all aspects of radio astronomy beyond the solar system. Each chapter is written by a renowned expert in the field and contains a review of a particular area of radio astronomy and presents the latest observations and interpretations as well as an extensive view of the literature (as of 1988). Topics covered include: galactic continuum emission, HII regions, the diffuse interstellar medium, interstellar molecules, astronomical masers, neutral hydrogen, the galactic center, radio stars, supernova remnants, pulsars, extragalactic hydrogen, radio galaxies and quasars, the microwave background, and cosmological radio sources.

The present set of chapters by members of the staff of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory deals with the basic fields of research concerned with radio astronomy outside the solar system. The emphasis in this volume is on the type of data available and its interpretation. Basic theory is considered only where absolutely necessary, and little discussion of receivers or techniques is entered into in most of the chapters. The book is intended to take over where most textbooks on radio astronomy leave off, that is, in the discussion of what is actually known from the research done. In addition there is a chapter on the technical aspects of inter ferometry and aperture synthesis, since so much of modern radio astronomy depends, and will depend in an ever increasing manner, on such tools. The editors want to stress that the chapters were not necessarily expected to be compre hensive reviews of any of the fields being covered, but rather, overall outlines which the in dividual authors feIt would be suitable for graduate students and interested workers in other fields. As a result, the lists of references are not complete. This only refiects the preferences of the individual authors and not the relative merit of those references incIuded or omitted.

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

Galactic and Extragalactic Radio Astronomy is a fundamental text for graduate students and professional astronomers and covers all aspects of radio astronomy beyond the solar system. Each chapter is written by a renowned expert in the field and contains a review of a particular area of radio astronomy and presents the latest observations and interpretations as well as an extensive view of the literature (as of 1988). Topics covered include: galactic continuum emission, HII regions, the diffuse interstellar medium, interstellar molecules, astronomical masers, neutral hydrogen, the galactic center, radio stars, supernova remnants, pulsars, extragalactic hydrogen, radio galaxies and quasars, the microwave background, and cosmological radio sources.

The present set of chapters by members of the staff of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory deals with the basic fields of research concerned with radio astronomy outside the solar system. The emphasis in this volume is on the type of data available and its interpretation. Basic theory is considered only where absolutely necessary, and little discussion of receivers or techniques is entered into in most of the chapters. The book is intended to take over where most textbooks on radio astronomy leave off, that is, in the discussion of what is actually known from the research done. In addition there is a chapter on the technical aspects of inter ferometry and aperture synthesis, since so much of modern radio astronomy depends, and will depend in an ever increasing manner, on such tools. The editors want to stress that the chapters were not necessarily expected to be compre hensive reviews of any of the fields being covered, but rather, overall outlines which the in dividual authors felt would be suitable for graduate students and interested workers in other fields. As a result, the lists of references are not complete. This only reflects the preferences of the individual authors and not the relative merit of those references included or omitted.

This volume contains working papers on astronomy and astrophysics prepared by 15 non-National Research Council panels in areas ranging from radio astronomy to the status of the profession.