Exploring the X-ray Universe

Capturing the excitement of X-ray astronomy, this second edition textbook for undergraduate students now covers a broader range of topics.

Frederick D. Seward (Author), Philip A. Charles (Author)

9780521884839, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 August 2010

372 pages, 368 b/w illus. 43 colour illus.
25 x 19.2 x 2.3 cm, 1.12 kg

'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

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Astronomy, space & time [PG]