Proceedings from the September-October conference in Lipari, Italy, discussing both the increase in neutron stars and new phenomena that have been discovered in these star systems. Forty- one contributions are arranged in sections on the history of neutron star study--from early speculations to current problems, neutron star structure, radio pulsars, X-ray binaries, evolution of binaries, and X-rays from single neutron stars. Individual papers address subjects like pulsar magnetic fields and glitches, young neutron stars in supernova remnants, high- energy emission from binary pulsars, thermonuclear burning on rapidly accreting neutron stars, modelling gamma ray bursts, and the search for old neutron stars in molecular clouds. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
The book gives an extended review of theoretical and observational aspects of neutron star physics. With masses comparable to that of the Sun and radii of about ten kilometres, neutron stars are the densest stars in the Universe. This book describes all layers of neutron stars, from the surface to the core, with the emphasis on their structure and equation of state. Theories of dense matter are reviewed, and used to construct neutron star models. Hypothetical strange quark stars and possible exotic phases in neutron star cores are also discussed. Also covered are the effects of strong magnetic fields in neutron star envelopes.
In The Many Faces of Science, Leslie Stevenson and Henry Byerly masterfully, and painlessly, provide the information and the philosophical reflections students need to gain an understanding of the institution of modern science and its increasing impact on our lives and cultures. In this second edition, the authors update topics they explored in the first edition, and present new case studies on subjects such as HIV and AIDS, women in science, and work done in psychology and the social sciences. The authors also extend their discussion of science and values, in addition to revising their study of science and technology, to emphasize changes in scientific practice today. Accessible and rich with case studies, anecdotes, personal asides, and keen insight, The Many Faces of Science is the ideal interdisciplinary introduction for nonscientists and scientists in courses on science studies, science and society, and science and human values. It will also prove useful as supplementary reading in courses on science and philosophy, sociology, and political science.
A decade of observations of the Sun with NASAs Solar Maximum Mission satellite has led to important discoveries in solar and atomic physics. This book presents the first comprehensive review of these results in a single volume, providing a snapshot of the current state of knowledge of solar physics. Chapters provide insight into the structure, composition and activity of the Sun, with coverage of topics such as solar flares, variations in the solar irradiance, coronal mass ejections, and spectroscopy.
Neutron stars hold a central place in astrophysics, not only because they are made up of the most extreme states of the condensed matter, but also because they are, along with white dwarfs and black holes, one of the stable configurations that stars reach at the end of stellar evolution. Neutron stars posses the highest rotation rates and strongest magnetic fields among all stars. They radiate prolifically, in high energy electromagnetic radiation and in the radio band. This book is devoted to the selected lectures presented in the 6th NATO-ASI series entitled "The Electromagnetic Spectrum of Neutron Stars" in Marmaris, Turkey, on 7-18 June 2004. This ASI is devoted to the spectral properties of neutron stars. Spectral observations of neutron stars help us to understand the magnetospheric emission processes of isolated radio pulsars and the emission processes of accreting neutron stars. This volume includes spectral information from the neutron stars in broadest sense, namely neutrino and gravitational radiation along with the electromagnetic spectrum. We believe that this volume can serve as graduate level of text including the broad range of properties of neutron stars.
Gravitational waves (GWs) are a hot topic and promise to play a central role in astrophysics, cosmology, and theoretical physics. Technological developments have led us to the brink of their direct observation, which could become a reality in the coming years. The direct observation of GWs will open an entirely new field: GW astronomy. This is expe
The present decade is opening new frontiers in high-energy astrophysics. After the X-ray satellites in the 1980's, including Einstein, Tenma, EXOSAT and Ginga, several satellites are, or will soon be, simultaneously in orbit offering spectacular advances in X-ray imaging at low energies (ROSATj Yohkoh) as well as at high energies (GRANAT), in spectroscopy with increased bandwidth (ASCAj SAX), and in timing (XTE). While these satellites allow us to study atomic radiation from hot plasmas or energetic electrons, other satellites study nuclear radiation at gamma-ray energies (CGRO) associated with radioactivity or spallation reactions. These experiments show that the whole universe is emitting radiation at high energies, hence we call it the "hot universe. " The hot universe, preferentially emitting X- and gamma-rays, provides us with many surprises and much information. A symposium "The Hot Universe" was held in conjunction with the XXIIIrd General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, at Kyoto on August 26-30 in 1997. The proceedings are organized as follows. Synthetic view of "the hot universe" is discussed in Section 1, "Plasma and Fresh Nucleosynthesis Phenomena". Timely discussions on the strategy for future missions "Future Space Program" are found in Section 2. Then the contents are divided into two major subjects: the compact objects and thin hot diffuse plasmas. Section 3 is devoted to the category of compact objects which includes white dwarfs, neutron stars, and gravitationally collapsed objects: stellar mass black holes or active galactic nuclei.
This book introduces the reader to the field of nuclear astrophysics, i.e. the acquisition and reading of measurements on unstable isotopes in different parts of the universe. The authors explain the role of radioactivities in astrophysics, discuss specific sources of cosmic isotopes and in which special regions they can be observed. More specifically, the authors address stars of different types, stellar explosions which terminate stellar evolutions, and other explosions triggered by mass transfers and instabilities in binary stars. They also address nuclear reactions and transport processes in interstellar space, in the contexts of cosmic rays and of chemical evolution. A special chapter is dedicated to the solar system which even provides material samples. The book also contains a description of key tools which astrophysicists employ in those particular studies and a glossary of key terms in astronomy with radioactivities.
Sound waves propagate through galactic space, through two-dimensional solids, through biological systems, through normal and dense stars, and through everything that surrounds us; the earth, the sea, and the air. We use sound to locate objects, to identify objects, to understand processes going on in nature, to communicate, and to entertain. The elastic properties of materials determine the velocity of sound in them and tell us about their response to stresses something which is very important when we are trying to construct, manufacture, or create something with any material. The Handbook of Elastic Properties of Materials will provide these characteristics for almost everything whose elastic properties has ever been measured or deduced in a concise and approachable manner. Leading experts will explain the significance of the elastic properties as they relate to intrinsic microscopic behavior, to manufacturing, to construction, or to diagnosis. They will discuss the propagation of sound in newly discovered or created materials, and in common materials which are being investigated with a fresh outlook. The Handbook will provide the reader with the elastic properties of the common and mundane, the novel and unique, the immense and the microscopic, and the exhorbitantly dense and the ephemeral.. You will also find the measurement. And theoretical techniques that have been developed and invented in order to extract these properties from a reluctant nature and recalcitrant systems. Key Features * Solids, liquids and gases covered in one handbook * Articles by experts describing insights developed over long and Illustrious careers * Properties of esoteric substances, such as normal and dense stars, superfluid helium three, fullerness, two dimensional solids, extraterrestial substances, gems and planetary atmospheres * Properties of common materials such as food, wood used for musical instruments, paper, cement, and cork * Modern dynamic elastic properties measurement techniques
