The radio sky (Chapter 7)

Radio astronomy, pioneered by Karl Jansky's discovery of cosmic radio waves in 1932 and advanced post-World War II with innovations from scientists like Bernard Lovell and Martin Ryle, has unlocked profound insights into the universe. Single-dish antennas, such as the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory, remain pivotal tools, while interferometry—combining multiple antennas—enhances angular resolution, revealing quasars, supermassive black holes, pulsars, and neutron stars. This chapter traces the evolution of radio technology and its transformative impact on our understanding of cosmic phenomena.

Cottrell, G. (2016). 7. The radio sky. Telescopes: A Very Short Introduction, 77–95. https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780198745860.003.0007