An Introduction to Close Binary Stars (Cambridge Astrophysics) [Paperback]

R. W. Hilditch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521798000 | ISBN-13: 978-0521798006 | Publication Date: March 12, 2001 | Edition: 1

Binary systems of stars are as common as single stars. This original text provides a pedagogical and comprehensive introduction to binary stars. The author combines theory and observations at all wavelengths to develop a unified understanding of binaries of all categories. Chapters review methods for calculating orbits, the Roche model, ideas about mass exchange and loss, methods for analyzing light curves, the masses and dimensions of different binary systems, and imaging the surfaces of stars and accretion structures. This volume offers advanced undergraduate and graduate students a thorough introduction to binary stars that will aid their learning of stellar astrophysics, stellar structure and evolution, and observational astrophysics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Combining the experience of many years of teaching with an equal length of service in observational research on binary stars, Ron Hilditch has produced a book that will be a standard reference for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates, and more mature researchers for a long time to come ... I found this book inspirational.' David Stickland, The Observatory

'It covers all the essentials a postgraduate student or undergraduate project student will need to know if they will be working with and interpreting observations of close binary stars and is full of useful sources of further information ... I would recommend this book to any astronomer who studies close binary stars or wants a better understanding of them.' Astronomy Now

'This textbook provides advanced undergraduate and graduate students a thorough introduction to binary stars as well as a lucid companion for courses on stellar astrophysics, stellar structure and evolution, and observational astrophysics.' Europe & Astronomy

'This is a comprehensive companion book for courses on stellar astrophysics, and stellar structures and evolution.' Aslib Book Guide

Book Description

Binaries are common--half the stars you see in the night sky have companions. They are of fundamental importance because they allow stellar masses, radii and luminosities to be measured directly, and explain X-ray binaries, cataclysmic variables, novae, and a host of other exciting phenomena. This textbook is the first to provide a pedagogical and comprehensive introduction to binary stars. It combines theory and observations at all wavelengths to develop a unified understanding of all types of binaries. This textbook provides advanced students with a thorough introduction to binary stars and a lucid companion for courses on stellar astrophysics, stellar structure and evolution, and observational astrophysics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 381 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (March 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521798000
• ISBN-13: 978-0521798006
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #963,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for serious amateur astronomers, December 23, 2007

By 

Herbert F. Helbig "physicist" (Damariscotta, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Close Binary Stars (Cambridge Astrophysics) (Paperback)

If you are an amateur astronomer studying eclipsing binary star systems, and have some training in physics, this book by R.W. Hilditch is a goldmine of information about the interaction of binaries. His treatment is closely tied to observational data, so that you will be motivated to follow the analyses he provides of light curve shapes. The information content of spectroscopic studies and of pulsar and x-ray data are also covered. The book is about as clear as it can be considering the detail provided. Even if equations frighten you, you might find the graphical and pictorial information useful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Introduction to Close Binary Stars., August 1, 2009

By 

John A. Shaw (Monroe, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Introduction to Close Binary Stars (Cambridge Astrophysics) (Paperback)

I bought this book then left it on the shelf for awhile. However, when I was teaching the mechanics portion of an introductory astrophysics course I pulled it down and found it very useful for its discussion of the spectroscopic determination of the masses and orbital parameters from observational data. It was just right for explaining to the students in the class how to calculate masses, eccentricities, and the other orbital parameters from data available in the literature. This wasn't quite possible from the other textbooks I used (including Carroll and Ostlie and the new textbook by Bradt) which covered the same material but didn't develop it as fully. I am working through the interacting binary part of the book now, but have found the book to be one of the ones I turn to when I need a decent explanation of the mathematics before hitting the technical literature. If you need to calculate it and not just get a synopsis this is your book.