Customer Reviews

The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres

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This is a classical textbook on several issues of the analysis of stellar spectra. It is thorough, objective, very clear and superbly written, with illuminating physical insights and conceptual discussions. The reader will also benefit from the accurate mathematical treating. But it is not an undergraduate text: many topics are discussed in such a way that leaves the uninitiated feeling that the concepts have dropped from the sky. At times the discussion is brief and to the point, which is perfect for anyone who has studied the topic before and wishes a deeper understanding; again the novice might find him/herself unable to follow. The presentation of observational results throughout the text, corroborating the theoretical background, is very commendable. An excellent text to the very advanced undergraduate or beginner graduate student, with few rivals in the market.

This is a classical book on the astrophysics of stellar photospheres. Its content is accurate and thorough but yet simple enough for beginner undergradute students. For a more advanced approach see "Stellar atmospheres", by Dimitri Mihalas.

This book is aimed at the advanced undergraduate or graduate student in astronomy or astrophysics. It is well suited for use as a university text, probably for a one year course. It also includes enough matherial to be useful to research scientists who may have specialized in other areas. The orientation of the book is more to the observer and analyzer of steller atmospheres rather than the theoretical approach.

In my opinion the student should have enough of a background in astronomy to at least understand the concept of spectrum lines. And math through Fourier transforms -- Chapter two of this book covers Fourier transforms, but twenty-five pages isn't quite enough to provide the understanding that I believe is needed for the rest of the book, or indeed for the questions that end Chapter 2.

This is the third edition of the book. It is updated to include the recent discoveries in both observations and the analytical tools that have been developed. To a lessor extent, some areas of the book have been revised to follow suggestions made by users of the previous editions.