The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres
The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres
The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres describes the equipment, observational techniques, and analysis used in the investigation of stellar photospheres. This third edition builds on the success of the previous editions, improving the presentation, and revising topics and results to keep up to date with the latest research. The first half of the book develops the tools of analysis and the second half demonstrates how they can be applied. Topics covered include radiation transfer, models of stellar photospheres, spectroscopic equipment, observing stellar spectra, and techniques for measuring stellar characteristics. Useful real star data can be found throughout the text and in the appendices, and there are extensive references to the primary literature. This comprehensive textbook is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students of stellar physics. Each chapter contains exercises to test understanding and a wealth of useful reference material is included.
- Best basic introduction to starlight, its analysis, and the atmospheres of real stars
- Observations and real stellar spectra are emphasized throughout
- Material is clearly written, logically presented and well illustrated
- Introduces basic material then develops it to a professional level
Reviews & endorsements
Review of the hardback: '… this new edition sustains the strengths of its predecessors while introducing new material, including (for the first time) exercises that enhance its usefulness as source material for lecture courses … Stellar Photospheres addresses spectrographs and detectors, the fundamentals of radiative transfer, the relevant microphysics, and continuum and line formation with a deftness that makes it accessible at undergraduate level, and with enough depth (and referencing to primary sources) to make it useful for the research scientist. Recommended to all with interest in these areas.' The Observatory
Product details
June 2008Paperback
9780521066815
552 pages
229 × 152 × 28 mm
0.9kg
240 b/w illus.
Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC
Table of Contents
- 1. Background
- 2. Fourier transforms
- 3. Spectroscopic tools
- 4. Light detectors
- 5. Radiation terms and definitions
- 6. The black body and its radiation
- 7. Radiative and convective energy transport
- 8. The continuous absorption coefficient
- 9. The model photosphere
- 10. The measurement of stellar continua
- 11. The line absorption coefficient
- 12. The measurement of spectral lines
- 13. The behavior of spectral lines
- 14. The measurement of stellar radii and temperatures
- 15. The measurement of photospheric pressure
- 16. Chemical analysis
- 17. Velocity fields in stellar photospheres
- 18. Stellar rotation.
