This unit begins with the fundamental principles of radio astronomy, following the signal chain of a single-dish radio telescope. Important concepts like antenna sensitivity patterns, receivers, frequency conversion and square-law detection are introduced. The techniques of radio interferometry and aperture synthesis are also explained from a mathematical viewpoint. Some time is spent describing the design of proposed next-generation radio telescopes, with particular reference to the square kilometre array. This course also introduces the physical mechanisms by which astronomical radiation is generated at radio wavelengths and examines some of the astrophysical sources that can be studied... -- Course Website
Prerequisites: 8717 (v.6)<br/> Electromagnetism 302<br/> <br/> or any previous version<br/> <br/> <br/><br/> <br/> AND<br/><br/> <br/> <br/> 312508 (v.1)<br/> Waves and Oscillations 202<br/> <br/> or any previous version<br/> <br/> <br/><br/> <br/> OR<br/><br/> <