1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910254587003321

Autore

Elbers Astrid

Titolo

The Rise of Radio Astronomy in the Netherlands [[electronic resource] ] : The People and the Politics / / by Astrid Elbers

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2017

ISBN

9783319490793

Edizione

[1st ed. 2017.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (XIV, 240 p. 40 illus., 8 illus. in color.)

Collana

Historical & Cultural Astronomy, , 2509-310X

Disciplina

520

Soggetti

Observations, Astronomical

Astronomy—Observations

Physics

History

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques

History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics

History of Science

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Nota di contenuto

Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: Radio Astronomy in the Netherlands -- Chapter 3: The Making of the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope. -Chapter 4: Joining Forces with the Belgiums -- Chapter 5: The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope -- Conclusion -- Index.

Sommario/riassunto

Radio astronomy was born during the Second World War, but as this book explains, the history of early Dutch radio astronomy is in several respects rather anomalous in comparison to the development of radio astronomy in other countries. The author describes how these very differences led the Netherlands to become one of the world leaders in radio astronomy. Dominated by the Leiden astronomer Jan Hendrik Oort, the field embarked on an era of success, and to this day, the country still holds this leading position. To tell this story, the book focuses on three key events in the period 1940-1970, namely the construction of the radio telescopes in Kootwijk (1948), in Dwingeloo (1956), and in Westerbork (1970). These projects show that Dutch radio



astronomers must not be seen as merely scientists, but also as strategic lobbyists, networkers and organizers in a specific political and economic context. It was in the process of planning, designing and constructing these instruments that the interests of the astronomers, industrial partners, politicians and lobby groups merged to create today's existing research centers for radio astronomy.