Systems for Simultaneous Image Formation with Radio Telescopes

Abstract

The large arrays of aerials often necessary for high resolution in radio astronomy are generally used to observe a brightness distribution in an area of the sky by scanning the aerial beam, point by point, across the area. In this paper we investigate the possibility of observing the complete distribution simultaneously over a given area. Two possible analogue systems capable in principle of forming such images, are described; in one, the analogue image is formed optically, in the other with ultrasonic methods. The problems and limitations of the two systems are examined and it is concluded that further technical developments are required before practical systems with useful sensitivity and resolution can be achieved.