radio astronomy

The term radio astronomy is used for that part of astronomy consisting of the observation and analysis radio waves from astronomical sources. Some sources primarily produce radio, and for many, it offers independent information. The radio frequency-range includes substantial atmospheric windows (known collectively as the radio window) enabling useful ground observation. Very useful interferometry techniques have been developed for radio, such as very-long-baseline interferometry (including Earth-sized VLBI), with which very high angular resolution can be achieved. Organizations dedicated to radio astronomy include:

• ASTRON.
• Institut de radioastronomie millimétrique (IRAM).
• Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIR)
• National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).

Some terms used for divisions of radio astronomy (by wavelength):

• submillimeter astronomy.
• millimeter astronomy.
• Or, together, millimeter/submillimeter astronomy; based upon the typical frequency distinction, submillimeter is infrared, but in reality, the equipment and observation often spans the arbitrary boundary between radio and infrared, and all three of these terms may well be used regarding the same telescope.
• centimeter-wave astronomy.
• meter-wave astronomy.
• high frequency radio astronomy.
• low frequency radio astronomy.

Exact wording varies.