From the Back Cover
To many astrophysicists, Stellar Polarimetry is a Cinderella subject with insignificant interest and, at the same time, being so esoteric as to be ignored and left alone. Some have promoted the theme with an enthusiastic passion and to great reward. Such pioneers have shown that polarimetric studies within Astronomy have a strong role to play either in their own right, or in combination with other observational tools, as a diagnostic for understanding the behaviour of celestrial sources.
In his presentation of Stellar Polarimetry, the Chapter titles are listed as:
Introduction and History
The Polarization Ellipse
The Algebra of Polarization
The Stokes Parameters
Polarization Statistics and Data Treatment
The Basics of Polarimetric Elements
Pre-Measurement Distortions
Polarimetric Principles and Instruments
Some Polarigenic Mechanisms
Interstellar Polarization
Binary Stars
Stars with Magnetic Fields
Early-Type Stars
Late-Type Stars
General Stellar Variability
About the Author
David Clarke gained his PhD at the University of Manchester and has since worked at many institutions around the world, participating in Zodiacal Light studies within the Skylab and Pioneer 10 projects. His main focus is on optical polarimetric instrumentation for investigation of scattering processes with stellar atmospheres and the interstellar medium, as well as for studies of the Earth’s atmosphere. He now holds an Honorary Research Fellowship at the University of Glasgow, following his retirement as Observatory Director. He is a widely experienced Astronomer and Educator, having published over 120 Papers and three Books, one – an undergraduate text – is now in 4
th edition.
