A Multi-Wavelength History of Astronomical Surveys: All the Sky

Description

This book presents an accessible history of astronomical surveys across the electromagnetic spectrum and beyond. Beginning with classical visual surveys of the sky, it then moves on to surveys using telescopes in the 17 th century onwards, those using photographic images in the 19 th century onwards, and then the incredible expansion of techniques in the 20 th century to the present day. where... Read more

This book presents an accessible history of astronomical surveys across the electromagnetic spectrum and beyond. Beginning with classical visual surveys of the sky, it then moves on to surveys using telescopes in the 17^th century onwards, those using photographic images in the 19^th century onwards, and then the incredible expansion of techniques in the 20^th century to the present day. where surveys now look beyond visible light into other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (including radio, microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray regimes). Recent surveys also make use of electronic detectors, as well as space-based telescopes, to complement those on the ground.

More than 350 surveys and catalogues encompassing imaging, astrometry, photometry, and spectroscopy are all comprehensively described. Chapters also go beyond electromagnetic radiation to discuss other forms of astronomical surveys, including those using neutrinos, cosmic rays, and gravitational radiation. This book also considers the range of online meta-catalogues and data archives that now exist and reflects on recent developments in machine learning and citizen science that are necessary to deal with astronomical “big data”.

Interspersed within the chapters are a series of feature boxes that explain the exciting astrophysical concepts and phenomena revealed by surveys. This format enables the book to be read by anyone with an interest in astronomy, even if they have not previously studied the astrophysics of the objects that make up the Universe. This book is non-mathematical in nature and can also be used as an introduction to the tools and practices of astronomy for undergraduate science students.

Key features:

· Presents a comprehensive history of more than 350 astronomical surveys and catalogues across the electromagnetic spectrum and beyond.

· Contains over 30 feature boxes that describe key astronomical concepts and phenomena revealed by the surveys.

· Uses a non-technical and non-mathematical approach, which is nonetheless quantitative throughout.

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Chapter 1 Observing the Universe, Chapter 2 Visual Surveys of Stars, Chapter 3 Visual Surveys of Extended Objects, Chapter 4 Photographic Imaging Surveys, Chapter 5 Photographic Spectroscopic Surveys, Chapter 6 Ground-Based Optical Astrometric Surveys, Chapter 7 Ground-Based Optical Photometric Surveys, Chapter 8 Ground-Based Optical Surveys for Moving Objects, Chapter 9 Ground-Based Optical Surveys for Variable Objects, Chapter 10 Ground-Based Optical Spectroscopic Surveys, Chapter 11 Space-Based Astrometric Surveys, Chapter 12 Space-Based Optical Photometric Surveys, Chapter 13 Space-Based Optical Spectroscopic Surveys, Chapter 14 Ground-Based Infrared Surveys, Chapter 15 Space-Based Infrared Surveys, Chapter 16 Submillimetre and Microwave Surveys, Chapter 17 Radio Surveys, Chapter 18 Ultraviolet Surveys, Chapter 19 X-Ray Surveys, Chapter 20 Gamma-Ray Surveys, Chapter 21 Beyond the Electromagnetic Spectrum, Chapter 22 Big Data

Author(s)

Biography

Andrew Norton is a retired professor of astrophysics education at the Open University, where he worked from 1992 to 2025, and is a former vice president of the Royal Astronomical Society. In his role as an educator at the Open University, his teaching involved the whole range of the astronomy and physics curriculum, at all levels from introductory to advanced Undergraduate and master's courses. He taught planetary and exoplanetary science, stellar astrophysics, accretion physics, theoretical and observational cosmology, extragalactic astrophysics, and practical observational astronomy. He won the RAS Higher Education Award in 2025 for “his extensive and exceptional contribution to the OU’s astronomy courses that have supported countless students”. He has been an academic consultant for several OU/BBC TV co-productions and was co-author of the OU’s “60 Second Adventures in Astronomy” videos. He has also written more than 20 online articles for the OU’s OpenLearn website and for the Conversation website. In 2011, he had a fully illustrated book for young children published about exoplanet science. He has an Erdös-Bacon-Sabbath number of 13.

A Multi-Wavelength History of Astronomical Surveys All the Sky — All the Time

Description

Table of Contents

Author(s)

Biography

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