Pulsar Astronomy

Lyne, Andrew G.; Graham-Smith, Francis

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0521594138 ISBN 13: 9780521594134

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Pulsars offer the opportunity to study physics in regimes unattainable in any terrestrial laboratory, and provide powerful probes for exploring the interstellar medium. This authoritative volume provides an ideal introductory account of pulsars for those entering the field, and an invaluable reference for established researchers. Pulsars, discovered by radioastronomers in 1967, are now studied at optical, X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths. This book tells the exciting story of their discovery and then leads on to review all aspects of pulsar physics. This second edition has been thoroughly revised to include the latest understanding of millisecond and binary pulsars, and recent observations at X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths. It includes extensive references and tables and a complete catalogue of all known pulsars. Written by two of the founders of the field, this book provides a unique reference source for researchers, and the only up-to-date introduction to the subject available for graduate students.

Descrizione del libro:

This second edition of a very successful work has been thoroughly revised to account for the rapid development and expansion of the subject, particularly in the field of millisecond and binary pulsars and X-ray and gamma-ray observations. Written by two founders of the field, this unique reference source includes a complete catalogue of all known pulsars.

Contenuti:

Preface; 1. The discovery of pulsars; 2. The pulsars – an overview; 3. Searches and surveys; 4. The distance of the pulsars; 5. Pulse timing; 6. Timing irregularities; 7. The young pulsars; 8. The galactic population of pulsars; 9. Supernovae; 10. Binary and millisecond pulsars; 11. The X-ray binaries and bursters; 12. Integrated pulse profiles; 13. Individual pulses; 14. Geometry of the emitting regions; 15. Radiation processes; 16. The pulsar emission mechanisms; 17. Interstellar scintillations and scattering; 18. The interstellar magnetic field; 19. Achievements and prospects; Appendix: The Pulsar Catalogue; Bibliography; Index.