Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy

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This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license. The third edition of this essential resource in radio interferometry features significant updates from the previous edition, incorporating results and technical advancements from the past decade. It covers arrays that span the entire radio spectrum observable from the ground, from 10 MHz to 1 THz, and analyzes factors impacting array speed. The discussion includes digital signal-processing techniques, scintillation phenomena, and the effects of atmospheric water vapor on image distortion, among other topics. With its comprehensive treatment of both theory and practice, this book serves as a standard reference in the field. It starts with an overview of radio astronomy principles, a brief history of radio interferometry, and an elementary explanation of interferometer operation. Building on this foundation, it explores the relationships of interferometry, outlines coordinate systems for synthesis imaging, and examines antenna configurations for multielement arrays. The book also addresses the design and response of receiving systems, the unique requirements of very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), image reconstruction, and recent advancements in image enhancement and astrometric observations. Additionally, it discusses propagation effects, radio interference, and introduces related techniques such as intensity interferometry, optical interferometry, and remote Earth