Handbook of Pulsar Astronomy

This 2004 book provides a concise description of pulsar research, presenting key techniques, background information and results.

D. R. Lorimer (Author), M. Kramer (Author)

9780521828239, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 December 2004

312 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.64 kg

Review of the hardback: 'This is a book which is well-timed and well-written and deserves to be read by a wider audience than that at which it is aimed.' The Observatory

Radio pulsars are rapidly rotating highly magnetized neutron stars. Studies of these fascinating objects have provided applications in solid-state physics, general relativity, galactic astronomy, astrometry, planetary physics and even cosmology. Most of these applications and much of what we know about neutron stars are derived from single-dish radio observations using state-of-the-art receivers and data acquisition systems. This comprehensive 2004 book is a unique resource that brings together the key observational techniques, background information and a review of results, including the discovery of a double pulsar system. Useful software tools are provided which can be used to analyse example data, made available on a related website. This work will be of great value not only to graduate students but also to researchers wishing to carry out and interpret a wide variety of radio pulsar observations.

Introduction
1. Basic pulsar properties
2. Pulsars as physical tools
3. Theoretical background
4. Instrumentation for pulsar observations
5. Observing known pulsars
6. Finding new pulsars
7. Pulsar timing
8. Beyond single radio dishes
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Galaxies & stars [PGM], Astronomical observation: observatories, equipment & methods [PGG]