Understanding Variable Stars

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Hardcover | 29 June 2007

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Hardcover
374 Pages

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24.8 x 18.0 x 2.2

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This book was first published in 2007. Variable stars are those that change brightness. Their variability may be due to geometric processes such as rotation, or eclipse by a companion star, or physical processes such as vibration, flares, or cataclysmic explosions. In each case, variable stars provide unique information about the properties of stars, and the processes that go on within them. This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. It ends with short reflections about the connection between the study of variable stars, and research, education, amateur astronomy, and public interest in astronomy. This book is intended for anyone with some background knowledge of astronomy, but is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers who can contribute to our understanding of these important stars.

Industry Reviews

'If you want a comprehensive guide to the science of variable stars, you can't go wrong with a book written by John Percy, a world authority on variable star observation.' BBC Sky at Night Magazine 'tightly written, and frequently interspersed with figures and graphs, the book contains an enormity of fact and discussion ... a foremost authority on Variable Stars, and is a marvellous repository of information. As such it is an ideal textbook for a serious student, or a reference book for the amateur astronomer.' Astronomy & Space '... the book achieves its aim of providing an overview of variable-star astronomy, and given the size of the field this is no mean feat. It comes with an excellent index ...' The Observatory 'It seems likely to me that Understanding Variable Stars was written with the American Association of Variable Star Observers members in mind. ...It is certainly the most up-to-date readable description of the various types of starts and what is known about each. ...Basically, if you observe variable starts, you should read and probably own this book. Thank you Dr. Percy!' American Association of Variable Star Observers Bookstore

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Physics Applied Physics Astrophysics Astronomy, Space & Time Galaxies & Stars Nature & The Natural World Popular Astronomy & Space Astronomical Observation & Observatories

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Paperback

Published: 27th October 2011

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List of Boxes	p. x
List of Figures	p. xi
List of Tables	p. xvii
Preface	p. xviii
History and development	p. 1
Tycho's and Kepler's stars	p. 2
The beginnings of modern astronomy	p. 3
Systematic visual observations	p. 4
The photographic revolution	p. 6
Spectroscopy	p. 6
Classification and explanation	p. 7
Photoelectric photometry: the electronic revolution	p. 8
Consolidation	p. 8
The modern age	p. 9
Variable stars: the present status	p. 12
Stars	p. 14
Positions	p. 14
Binary and multiple stars	p. 15
Star clusters	p. 17
Galaxies	p. 18
Motions of the stars	p. 21
Apparent magnitude	p. 22
Distance	p. 23
Absolute magnitude and luminosity	p. 24
Stellar masses	p. 25
Spectra	p. 26
Colour	p. 27
Temperature	p. 28
Diameter	p. 31
Composition	p. 32
Rotation	p. 33
Radial velocity	p. 34
The Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram	p. 36
Star structure	p. 38
Star formation	p. 39
Star evolution	p. 43
Star death	p. 45
Variable stars	p. 48
Magnitude and Julian Date	p. 49
Measurement of variable stars	p. 50
Discovery and observation	p. 55
Analysis of variable star data	p. 61
Classification	p. 71
Certification	p. 74
Nomenclature	p. 74
Bibliography	p. 76
Rotating variable stars	p. 81
The spotted sun	p. 82
Sunlike stars	p. 84
FK Comae stars	p. 88
RS Canum Venaticorum stars	p. 88
BY Draconis stars	p. 91
Peculiar A (Ap) stars	p. 92
Pulsars	p. 96
Eclipsing variable stars	p. 103
Overview	p. 103
Ellipsoidal variable stars	p. 106
Classification of eclipsing variables	p. 107
Analysis of eclipsing variables	p. 111
Detached eclipsing variables	p. 118
Semi-detached binaries	p. 121
W Ursae Majoris stars - contact binaries	p. 122
Symbiotic binary systems	p. 124
VV Cephei stars	p. 126
X-ray binaries	p. 128
The evolution of binary systems	p. 132
Transiting exoplanets	p. 133
Pulsating variable stars	p. 136
Pulsation modes	p. 136
Pulsation mechanisms	p. 138
Modelling stellar pulsation	p. 139
Non-linear effects	p. 140
The instability strip(s)	p. 141
Helioseismology: pulsations of the sun	p. 145
Asteroseismology	p. 145
Classical Cepheid variable stars	p. 147
Population II Cepheids (W Virginis stars)	p. 161
RV Tauri variables	p. 167
RR Lyrae stars	p. 173
Delta Scuti stars	p. 182
Rapidly oscillating peculiar A (roAp) stars	p. 190
Pulsating degenerate stars	p. 192
Beta Cephei (Beta Canis Majoris) stars	p. 195
Pulsating red giants (PRGs)	p. 203
Red supergiant (SRc) variables	p. 217
Eruptive variable stars	p. 224
Flare stars	p. 224
Cataclysmic variables	p. 228
Supernovae	p. 255
Gamma-ray bursters	p. 270
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)	p. 272
Pre-main-sequence variable stars	p. 278
T Tauri stars	p. 279
FU Orionis stars	p. 289
Herbig-Haro objects	p. 291
Herbig Ae and Be stars	p. 291
Putting it all together	p. 292
Miscellaneous variable stars	p. 296
Be stars - Gamma Cassiopeiae variables	p. 296
Wolf-Rayet stars	p. 301
Hypergiant variable stars	p. 304
R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars	p. 312
Epilogue	p. 319
Variable stars and astronomical research	p. 319
Variable stars and amateur astronomy	p. 320
Variable stars and science education	p. 324
Variable stars and the general public	p. 327
Acronyms	p. 330
References	p. 332
Resources	p. 342
Index	p. 344
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Understanding Variable Stars

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

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You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

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