Dave's Hobby Shop Book Department  

Title:  Radio Astronomy

Author: Francis Graham-Smith
Edition: NA
ISBN: NA
Date: 1960
Publisher: Pelican (Penguin) Book
Binding: Soft Cover
Size approximately (inches): 4-1/2 x 7
Pages: 265

Book Condition: Good. Previously owned.  

Special Notes: Pelican book A 479

About the book*

Radio Astronomy by F. Graham Smith (a Pelican/Penguin volume from the early 1960s), supplemented with modern context drawn from later works by Smith and co-authored texts:

📚 Historical Perspective & Context

• Originally published as a concise (≈265-page) Pelican book, Radio Astronomy provided one of the earliest accessible surveys of the field, complete with 16 plates and ~50 figures—offering both visual and conceptual entry points into the subject 

• In mid-20th century context (1960s), this work served to bridge the explosive discoveries of quasars, pulsars, and the cosmic microwave background for a science-literate audience.

🧠 Content & Approach

• Foundational Overview: It covers basics—antennas, receiver noise, single-dish and early interferometry, and the physical nature of observed radio sources (e.g., the Sun, galaxies, quasars).

• Balance of Technical and Conceptual: Smith favors qualitative description with moderate quantitative detail—the Pelican format was traditionally aimed at educated nonspecialists.

📣 Contemporary Reviews

• A 1961 review in The Journal of Navigation described it simply as "A Survey of Radio Astronomy", noting its substantial visual content and approachable size, implying a clear, condensed educational design .

• Although lacking extensive modern reviews, Smith’s later works (e.g., An Introduction to Radio Astronomy, Unseen Cosmos) reinforce his reputation for clear, authoritative exposition.

🔄 Modern Comparisons & Reputation

• Smith went on to co-author An Introduction to Radio Astronomy (with Burke & Wilkinson), a highly respected graduate-level text praised as:

  “An engaging introduction … impressively comprehensive … written by two of the world's leading radio astronomers” 

• His 2013 book, Unseen Cosmos: The Universe in Radio, earned acclaim for blending historical insight (his own pioneering role) with scientific clarity and up‑to‑date content 

✅ Overall Impression of Radio Astronomy (Pelican Edition)

Strengths

• Compact & Accessible: A classic, approachable survey of radio astronomy at a pivotal era.

• Visually Rich: High-quality plates and figures convey real astronomical data and techniques.

• Authoritative: Smith's prestige (later becoming Astronomer Royal) lends credibility.

🎓 Who It's Best For

• History & context enthusiasts: Readers interested in the state of radio astronomy circa 1960.

• General science readers: Those seeking non-mathematical overview of astronomical discoveries of the era.

• Collectors or Pelican aficionados: As a period piece and iconic Penguins series title.

We take a look at the book to determine the book's condition. We ship in protective packing to ensure it arrives in the best possible shape during shipping. 

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We pack and ship with care! We do this right, unlike some of the other mega warehouse sellers who really haven't even looked at the book and then toss it in a cheap bag for shipping. We do better than that, and we suspect you expect better if you collect and value good books.

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From W5SWL

*AI is used to present some modern description content. Subject to review and possible inaccuracy.