Exploring the X-ray Universe
Exploring the X-ray Universe
Philip A. Charles, South African Astronomical Observatory, Sutherland
Capturing the excitement and accomplishments of X-ray astronomy, this second edition now includes a broader range of astronomical phenomena and dramatic new results from the most powerful X-ray telescopes. Covering all areas of astronomical research, ranging from the smallest to the largest objects, from neutron stars to clusters of galaxies, this textbook is ideal for undergraduate students. Each chapter starts with the basic aspects of the topic, explores the history of discoveries, and examines in detail modern observations and their significance. This new edition has been updated with results from the most recent space-based instruments, including ROSAT, BeppoSAX, ASCA, Chandra, and XMM. New chapters cover X-ray emission processes, the interstellar medium, the Solar System, and gamma-ray bursts. The text is supported by over 300 figures, with tables listing the properties of the sources, and more specialized technical points separated in boxes.
- Covers a broader range of astronomical phenomena, including X-ray emission processes, the interstellar medium, the Solar System, and gamma-ray bursts than the first edition
- Updated with dramatic new results from the most powerful X-ray telescopes, such as ROSAT, BeppoSAX, ASCA, Chandra, and XMM
- Each chapter presents the basic aspects, explores the history of discoveries, and examines modern observations and their significance in detail
Reviews & endorsements
'The authors make use of their wide experience in both instrumentation and observations to balance knowledge against inference … I like this book and highly recommend it.' The Observatory
Product details
No date availableHardback
9780521884839
372 pages
250 × 192 × 23 mm
1.12kg
368 b/w illus. 43 colour illus.
Table of Contents
- 1. Birth and childhood of X-ray astronomy
- 2. X-ray emission and interaction with matter
- 3. Tools and techniques
- 4. Solar System X-rays
- 5. X-ray absorption and scattering in the interstellar medium
- 6. Active stellar coronae
- 7. Early-type stars
- 8. Supernova explosions and their remnants
- 9. Neutron stars, pulsars, pulsar wind nebulae, more supernova remnants
- 10. Cataclysmic variable stars
- 11. X-ray binaries
- 12. Black-hole X-ray binaries
- 13. Normal and starburst galaxies
- 14. Active galactic nuclei
- 15. Clusters of galaxies
- 16. The diffuse X-ray background
- 17. Gamma-ray bursts
- Index.
