Understanding variable stars / John R. Percy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Percy, John R.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Variable stars.

Physical Description:

xxi, 350 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Summary:

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.

Contents:

1 History and development 1

1.1 Tycho's and Kepler's stars 2

1.2 The beginnings of modern astronomy 3

1.3 Systematic visual observations 4

1.4 The photographic revolution 6

1.5 Spectroscopy 6

1.6 Classification and explanation 7

1.7 Photoelectric photometry: the electronic revolution 8

1.8 Consolidation 8

1.9 The modern age 9

1.10 Variable stars: the present status 12

2 Stars 14

2.1 Positions 14

2.2 Binary and multiple stars 15

2.3 Star clusters 17

2.4 Galaxies 18

2.5 Motions of the stars 21

2.6 Apparent magnitude 22

2.7 Distance 23

2.8 Absolute magnitude and luminosity 24

2.9 Stellar masses 25

2.10 Spectra 26

2.11 Colour 27

2.12 Temperature 28

2.13 Diameter 31

2.14 Composition 32

2.15 Rotation 33

2.16 Radial velocity 34

2.17 The Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram 36

2.18 Star structure 38

2.19 Star formation 39

2.20 Star evolution 43

2.21 Star death 45

3 Variable stars 48

3.1 Magnitude and Julian Date 49

3.2 Measurement of variable stars 50

3.3 Discovery and observation 55

3.4 Analysis of variable star data 61

3.5 Classification 71

3.6 Certification 74

4 Rotating variable stars 81

4.1 The spotted sun 82

4.2 Sunlike stars 84

4.3 FK Comae stars 88

4.4 RS Canum Venaticorum stars 88

4.5 BY Draconis stars 91

4.6 Peculiar A (Ap) stars 92

4.7 Pulsars 96

5 Eclipsing variable stars 103

5.2 Ellipsoidal variable stars 106

5.3 Classification of eclipsing variables 107

5.4 Analysis of eclipsing variables 111

5.5 Detached eclipsing variables 118

5.6 Semi-detached binaries 121

5.7 W Ursae Majoris stars - contact binaries 122

5.8 Symbiotic binary systems 124

5.9 VV Cephei stars 126

5.10 X-ray binaries 128

5.11 The evolution of binary systems 132

5.12 Transiting exoplanets 133

6 Pulsating variable stars 136

6.1 Pulsation modes 136

6.2 Pulsation mechanisms 138

6.3 Modelling stellar pulsation 139

6.4 Non-linear effects 140

6.5 The instability strip(s) 141

6.6 Helioseismology: pulsations of the sun 145

6.7 Asteroseismology 145

6.8 Classical Cepheid variable stars 147

6.9 Population II Cepheids (W Virginis stars) 161

6.10 RV Tauri variables 167

6.11 RR Lyrae stars 173

6.12 Delta Scuti stars 182

6.13 Rapidly oscillating peculiar A (roAp) stars 190

6.14 Pulsating degenerate stars 192

6.15 Beta Cephei (Beta Canis Majoris) stars 195

6.16 Pulsating red giants (PRGs) 203

6.17 Red supergiant (SRc) variables 217

7 Eruptive variable stars 224

7.1 Flare stars 224

7.2 Cataclysmic variables 228

7.3 Supernovae 255

7.4 Gamma-ray bursters 270

7.5 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) 272

8 Pre-main-sequence variable stars 278

8.1 T Tauri stars 279

8.2 FU Orionis stars 289

8.3 Herbig-Haro objects 291

8.4 Herbig Ae and Be stars 291

9 Miscellaneous variable stars 296

9.1 Be stars - Gamma Cassiopeiae variables 296

9.2 Wolf-Rayet stars 301

9.3 Hypergiant variable stars 304

9.4 R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars 312

10.1 Variable stars and astronomical research 319

10.2 Variable stars and amateur astronomy 320

10.3 Variable stars and science education 324

10.4 Variable stars and the general public 327.

ISBN:

9780521232531

0521232538

OCLC:

81453063