Understanding Variable Stars

Understanding Variable Stars

Author: John R. Percy

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-05-24

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 1139463284

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This book was first published in 2007. Variable stars are those that change brightness. Their variability may be due to geometric processes such as rotation, or eclipse by a companion star, or physical processes such as vibration, flares, or cataclysmic explosions. In each case, variable stars provide unique information about the properties of stars, and the processes that go on within them. This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. It ends with short reflections about the connection between the study of variable stars, and research, education, amateur astronomy, and public interest in astronomy. This book is intended for anyone with some background knowledge of astronomy, but is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers who can contribute to our understanding of these important stars.


Variable Star

Variable Star

Author: Robert A. Heinlein

Publisher: Macmillan + ORM

Published: 2010-12-07

Total Pages: 475

ISBN-13: 1429983450

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The unfinished sci-fi masterpiece by the author of Stranger in a Strange Land—completed by the Hugo Award–winning author of The Stardance Trilogy. Joel Johnston has found the love of his life in Jinny Hamilton. Life would be perfect if only he earned enough money to support a family. But now that Jinny knows his love is true, she reveals an incredible secret: she is really Jinny Conrad, granddaughter of Richard Conrad, the wealthiest man in the solar system. And now that Joel proven his love for Jinny, her family has a plan for him. Joel is to be groomed for a place in the vast Conrad empire and sire a dynasty to carry on the family business. Most men would jump at the opportunity. But to Jinny’s surprise, and even his own, Joel turns down her generous offer and sets off on the mother of all benders. When he wakes up on a colony ship heading into space, he decides it’s time to forget Jinny and make a life among the stars. But his plans—and the plans of billions of others—are shattered by a cosmic cataclysm so devastating it will take all of humanity’s strength and ingenuity just to survive. When an outline for Variable Star was found among Robert A. Heinlein’s papers, Spider Robinson was commissioned to complete the novel. The result is a thrilling new work of science fiction from two of the genre’s greatest minds.


Observing Variable Stars

Observing Variable Stars

Author: Gerry A. Good

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 9781852334987

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Observing variable stars is one of the major contributions amateur astronomers make to science. There are 36,000 variable stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, so it is clearly impossible for the limited number of professional observatories to target even the majority of them. That's where amateur astronomers come in - thousands of them turning their telescopes to the sky every night. Variable star observing is the most popular of "real science" activities for amateurs, and Gerry Good's book provides everything needed. The first part of the book provides a highly detailed account of the various classes of variable star, with examples, illustrations and physical descriptions. The second section covers practical aspects of observing, everything from preparation and planning, through observing techniques, to data management and reduction.


Cataclysmic Variable Stars

Cataclysmic Variable Stars

Author: Brian Warner

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2003-09-18

Total Pages: 600

ISBN-13: 9780521542098

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This timely volume provides the first comprehensive survey of cataclysmic variable stars, integrating theory and observation into a single, synthesised text.


Pulsating Stars

Pulsating Stars

Author: Márcio Catelan

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2015-03-23

Total Pages: 500

ISBN-13: 3527407154

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This book surveys our understanding of stars which change in brightness because they pulsate. Pulsating variable stars are keys to distance scales inside and beyond the Milky Way galaxy. They test our understanding not only of stellar pulsation theory but also of stellar structure and evolution theory. Moreover, pulsating stars are important probes of the formation and evolution of our own and neighboring galaxies. Our understanding of pulsating stars has greatly increased in recent years as large-scale surveys of pulsating stars in the Milky Way and other Local Group galaxies have provided a wealth of new observations and as space-based instruments have studied particular pulsating stars in unprecedented detail.


Cataclysmic Variable Stars - How and Why They Vary

Cataclysmic Variable Stars - How and Why They Vary

Author: Coel Hellier

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2001-02-23

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 9781852332112

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This text presents numerous illustrations of the observed variability of cataclysmic variable stars. It provides a clear explanation and thorough up-to-date overview of this phenomena at a level accessible to the advanced amateur or undergraduate student.


Observing Variable Stars, Novae and Supernovae

Observing Variable Stars, Novae and Supernovae

Author: Gerald North

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 243

ISBN-13: 1107636124

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Gerald North's complete practical guide and resource package instructs amateur astronomers in observing and monitoring variable stars and other objects of variable brightness. Descriptions of the objects are accompanied by explanations of the background astrophysics, providing readers with real insight into what they are observing at the telescope. The main instrumental requirements for observing and estimating the brightness of objects by visual means and by CCD photometry are detailed, and there is advice on the selection of equipment. The book contains a CD-ROM packed with resources, including hundreds of light-curves and over 600 printable finder charts. Containing extensive practical advice, this comprehensive guide is an invaluable resource for amateur astronomers of all levels, from novices to more advanced observers. Gerald North is a lifelong amateur astronomer. In addition to being a member of the British Astronomical Association since 1977, he is also the author of many books, including Advanced Amateur Astronomy (Cambridge, 1997) and Observing the Moon (Cambridge, 2000).


Observing Variable Stars

Observing Variable Stars

Author: Gerry A. Good

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 275

ISBN-13: 1447100557

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Observing variable stars is one of the major contributions amateur astronomers make to science. There are 36,000 variable stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, so it is clearly impossible for the limited number of professional observatories to target even the majority of them. That's where amateur astronomers come in - thousands of them turning their telescopes to the sky every night. Variable star observing is the most popular of "real science" activities for amateurs, and Gerry Good's book provides everything needed. The first part of the book provides a highly detailed account of the various classes of variable star, with examples, illustrations and physical descriptions. The second section covers practical aspects of observing, everything from preparation and planning, through observing techniques, to data management and reduction.


Observing Variable Stars

Observing Variable Stars

Author: David H. Levy

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1998-04-16

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9780521627559

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David Levy's entertaining, well-researched book is aimed at the amateur enthusiast who likes to learn enjoyably. Beginning with advice on binoculars and telescopes, and how to observe the night sky effectively, the author goes on to describe thoroughly the field of variable star observation, a field in which amateurs have made important contributions. He shows how to interpret variations in light output in terms of the life of a star, from birth through to sometimes violent death. All of the major variable stars are described and classified, as well as other variable objects such as active galaxies, asteroids, comets and the sun. The book also contains a guide to the seasonal night sky. Throughout, practical observations serve to complement the text, producing an exciting, very readable introduction to this fascinating subject.