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The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres

The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres

The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres

3rd Edition
David F. Gray, University of Western Ontario
June 2008
Temporarily unavailable - available from TBC
Paperback
9780521066815
$82.99
USD
Paperback

    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

    "...this new edition sustains the strenths of its predecessors while introducing new material, including (for the first time) exercises that enhance its usefulness as source material for lecture courses...all the expected standard topics are well covered, with a clarity that readily betrays the author's deep familiarity with, and understanding of, both the central physics and the empirical practice. Any atypical content and emphasis also reflects this first-hand command of the material, and sets the book apart from (and above) a number of others that attempt to cover broadly similar ground...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 interests in these areas." - The Observatory, Ian D. Howarth

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    Product details

    June 2008
    Paperback
    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.
      Author
    • David F. Gray , University of Western Ontario

      David F. Gray is Director of the Elginfield Observatory and Professor of Astronomy at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.