RR Lyrae Stars

Complete account of the applications of RR Lyrae stars in professional astronomy.

Horace A. Smith (Author)

9780521548175, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 September 2004

168 pages, 70 b/w illus. 14 tables
24.6 x 18.9 x 0.9 cm, 0.318 kg

'…a unique explanation of the multiple applications of these variable starts for a range of astrophysical problems. …For advanced students and researchers of astronomy, this is a definitive account of the modern theories surrounding RR Lyrae stars.' American Association of Variable Star Observers Bookstore

This is a comprehensive account of RR Lyrae stars, and traces the story from their initial discovery a century ago, through to their present status. This book reviews our current understanding of RR Lyrae stars. It is a unique explanation of the multiple applications of these variable stars for a range of astrophysical problems. Horace A. Smith describes the use of RR Lyrae stars as probes of old stellar populations, both in the Milky Way and other galaxies, and as an outstanding testing ground for stellar evolution and pulsation theories. He stresses the significance of variable stars for our ultimate understanding of the history and scale of the Milky Way and nearer extragalactic systems. For advanced students and researchers of astronomy, this is a definitive account of the modern theories surrounding RR Lyrae stars.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. The absolute magnitude of the RR Lyrae stars
3. RR Lyrae stars in globular clusters
4. RR Lyrae stars of the galactic field
5. Period changes, the Blanzhko effect, and the double mode pulsation
6. RR Lyrae stars beyond the Milky Way
Glossary of symbols
Short list of journal abbreviations
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]