Taylor G. B., Carilli C. L., Perley R. A., (eds), 1999. Synthesis
Imaging in Radio Astronomy II A.S.P. Conf. Ser., 180
Perley
R. A., F. R. Schwab, A. H. Bridle, (eds), 1989. Synthesis
Imaging in Radio Astronomy, A.S.P. Conf. Ser., 6
Lecture
notes from N.R.A.O. Summer Schools. Covers the basic theory quickly
but rigorously, and gives a detailed description of the principles
and pitfalls of data reduction. An invaluable practical
guide. Intended primarily for VLA users but most topics discussed
apply equally to MERLIN.
Zensus J. A., Diamond P. J., Napier P. J., (eds), 1995. Very Long
Baseline Interferometry and the VLBA A.S.P. Conf. Ser., 82
Felli M. & Spencer R. E., (eds), 1989. Very Long Baseline
Interferometry: Techniques and Applications, NATO ASI Ser. Kluwer,
Dordrecht.
Similar in scope to the previous proceedings, but intended for
VLBI users (including techniques often applicable to MERLIN data).
Thompson A. R., Moran J. M. & Swenson G. W. Jr, 1991.
Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, Kreiger, Malabar (and
previous editions).
The standard text on Synthesis telescopes. More emphasis on
hardware and basic theory, and less on the minutiae of data analysis,
than the previous books.
The AIPS Cookbook, NRAO, 2001
and updates. Practical details of how
to use AIPS for calibration, mapping and image analysis. Mainly
targeted at VLA (and VLBA) users, but also relevant for MERLIN.
Christiansen W. N. & Högbom J. A. , 1985. Radiotelescopes, 2nd Ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Covers both
single dishes and synthesis telescopes. Gives only the basic theory
and omits calibration and self-calibration.
Rohlfs K., Wilson T. L., Huettemeister S. 2000. Tools of Radio Astronomy, Springer-Verlag,
New York (and
previous editions).
A graduate-level textbook covering both the important
technological principles and also the basic astrophysical mechanisms
of Radio Astronomy. Chapter 6 provides a very concise description of
the principles of aperture synthesis, with a fairly rigourous
derivation of the main results.
Burke B. F. & Graham-Smith F., 2002. An Introduction to Radio
Astronomy CUP, Cambridge
Descriptive book-length review with plenty of instructive examples.
Kellermann K. I., Verschuur, G. L., (eds), 1988 Galactic and
Extragalactic Radio Astronomy, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Analysis of typical radio sources with useful information for planning
observations.
In addition, some theses in the JBO library contain detailed
descriptions of data reduction which some observers may find easier to
understand than text-books. Unfortunately the older ones are only
available as a single hard copy but you are welcome to consult these
at JBO.
As with all the books listed here, remember that the capabilities of present-day radio telescopes and the tools available for data reduction, change rapidly, and so techniques or limitations described in the older volumes may need revision.