Includes bibliographical references (pages 353-387) and index.
Contents:
A new window on the universe -- Radio emission from the sun and stars -- Radio galaxies -- Quasars and AGN -- Radio astronomy, cosmology, and cosmic evolution -- The cosmic microwave background -- Interplanetary scintillations, pulsars, neutron stars, and fast radio bursts -- Interstellar atoms, molecules, and cosmic masers -- Radio studies of the moon and planets -- Testing gravity -- If you build it, they will come -- Expecting the unexpected.
Summary:
"This book tells the story of how remarkable serendipitous discoveries by radio astronomers changed our understanding of the Universe. It gives various examples of the unexpected ways in which real-life scientific research often advances, for general readers interested in astronomy and those interested in the history of modern scientific research"-- Provided by publisher. "Until Karl Jansky's 1933 discovery of radio noise from the Milky Way, astronomy was limited to observation by visible light. Radio astronomy opened a new window on the Universe, leading to the discovery of quasars, pulsars, the cosmic microwave background, electrical storms on Jupiter, the first extrasolar planets, and many other unexpected and unanticipated phenomena. Theory generally played little or no role – or even pointed in the wrong direction. Some discoveries came as a result of military or industrial activities, some from academic research intended for other purposes, some from simply looking with a new technique. Often it was the right person, in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing – or sometimes the wrong thing. Star Noise tells the story of these discoveries, the men and women who made them, the circumstances which enabled them, and the surprising ways in which real-life scientific research works." -- Publisher's description
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.