A compelling biography of John Bolton, a pioneer in radio astronomy and a key figure in the development of Australian science.
John Bolton (1922–93) charted a new window on the universe. After wartime service in the Royal Navy, he arrived in Sydney and joined the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory. In the late 1940s he discovered and identified the first discrete radio sources, unusual objects at vast distances with intense emission at radio frequencies. These discoveries marked the birth of extragalactic radio astronomy and the foundation for modern cosmology.
Radio Astronomer explores Bolton's life and work, from his early years in Sheffield to his groundbreaking research and leadership in establishing world-class radio observatories. It documents his contributions to astronomy, his role in the discovery of quasars, and his impact on Australian science. This is a story of scientific innovation, international collaboration, and the individuals who shaped our understanding of the universe.
