Introduction to Radio Astronomy

Abstract

A general description of the nature of radio astronomy, its differences from optical astronomy, a review of the earliest beginnings of galactic and solar radio astronomy, and a listing of other important observational discoveries is given. A nearly complete bibliography of these early publications and of the principal review books and papers on Radio Astronomy is given. Some practical aspects and instrumental developments of possible interest to radio engineers are pointed out. The papers in this issue of the PROCEEDINGS on Radio Astronomy are discussed generally and individually. A brief description of some new results on solar-burst spectra obtained at the Radio Astronomy Observatory at the University of Michigan is presented.