Recollections of "Tucson Operations": The Millimeter-Wave Observatory of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (Astrophysics and Space Science Library) [Hardcover]

M.A. Gordon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1402032358 | ISBN-13: 978-1402032356 | Publication Date: May 24, 2005 | Edition: 1

A personal account of the evolution of millimeter-wave astronomy at the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The author recounts the behind-the-scenes activities of the staff from the beginnings at Kitt Peak to the closing of the Tuscon offices.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book is a personal account of the evolution of millimeter-wave astronomy at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. It begins with the construction of the hugely successful, but flawed, 36 ft radio telescope on Kitt Peak, Arizona, and continues through the funding of its ultimate successor, the Atacama Large Millimeter-wave Array (ALMA), being constructed on a 5.000 m (16.500 ft) site in northern Chile. The book describes the behind-the-scene activities of the NRAO Tucson staff. These include the identification and solution of technical problems, the scheduling and support of visiting astronomers, and the preparations and the politics of the proposal to replace the 36 ft telescope with a 25 m telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The book also describes the installation of a new 12 m surface and the involvement of the Tucson staff in the ALMA project. Finally, it describes events leading to the closing of the 36 ft telescope and, eventually, of the NRAO offices in Tucson.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (May 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402032358
• ISBN-13: 978-1402032356
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,560,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read for certain people, June 11, 2010

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Daren S. Wilson "darenw" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Recollections of "Tucson Operations": The Millimeter-Wave Observatory of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (Astrophysics and Space Science Library) (Hardcover)

Covers by anecdote the events, decisions made during the formation of NRAO's Tucson operation - just like the title says. Nontechnical, but does use jargon that might not make sense to those not already familiar with electronics and astronomy. Informal writing style. There are photographs, clear enough though not spectacular, in grayscale only. There are few facts (budgets, technical specs, etc) but does tell names of participants of meetings and events.

Each chapter covers some aspect of running the operation - getting reliable electricity, creating software to run the dish, etc. Things are not told strictly chronologically, as each topic is followed through time before picking up another topic in the next chapter. This could lead to a bit of confusion if you read this book in an on-and-off manner. Some chapters are very short, just a few pages.

It's all a juicy read for anyone already interested in radio astronomy, histor of the NRAO and NSF, and the administration of scientific facilities. It isn't the most enlightening book on the culture of scientists. Good pleasure read for professional and those exploring careers. I'm starting a job soon at NRAO at another location, so have a close interest in stories in this book. If you're interested in learning the physics of radio astronomy, or the engineering of the dishes, there are other books of more utility.