Handbook of X-ray Astronomy

A practical guide for graduate students, professionals and researchers, describing the main hardware and the concepts behind data analysis software.

Keith Arnaud (Edited by), Randall Smith (Edited by), Aneta Siemiginowska (Edited by)

9780521883733, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 September 2011

206 pages, 60 b/w illus.
23.5 x 16 x 1.5 cm, 0.45 kg

'… this is an excellent, good-value book and should be required reading for all those interested in X-ray astronomy.' The Observatory

Modern x-ray data, available through online archives, are important for many astronomical topics. However, using these data requires specialized techniques and software. Written for graduate students, professional astronomers and researchers who want to start working in this field, this book is a practical guide to x-ray astronomy. The handbook begins with x-ray optics, basic detector physics and CCDs, before focussing on data analysis. It introduces the reduction and calibration of x-ray data, scientific analysis, archives, statistical issues and the particular problems of highly extended sources. The book describes the main hardware used in x-ray astronomy, emphasizing the implications for data analysis. The concepts behind common x-ray astronomy data analysis software are explained. The appendices present reference material often required during data analysis.

1. X-ray astronomy optics Daniel A. Schwartz
2. Proportional counters and other detector techniques Richard J. Edgar
3. CCDs for x-ray astronomy Catherine E. Grant
4. Data reduction and calibration Keith A. Arnaud and Randall K. Smith
5. Data analysis Randall K. Smith, Keith A. Arnaud and Aneta Siemiginowska
6. Archives, surveys, catalogues and software Keith Arnaud
7. Statistics Aneta Siemiginowska
8. Analysis of extended emission K. D. Kuntz
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Astronomical observation: observatories, equipment & methods [PGG], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematics & science [P]