X-ray Binaries (Cambridge Astrophysics) [Paperback]

Walter H. G. Lewin (Editor), Jan van Paradijs (Editor), Edward P. J. van den Heuvel (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521599342 | ISBN-13: 978-0521599344 | Publication Date: January 28, 1997

X-ray binaries are stellar systems that combine one normal star (like our sun) and a smaller star, such as a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole. This timely text provides a comprehensive overview of the unique and varied behavior of these combinations. Fifteen specially-written chapters by a team of the world's foremost researchers in the field explore all aspects of the X-ray binaries, including the X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, and radio properties of these violent systems, and address key issues such as how these systems formed and what their fate might be. They also discuss X-ray bursts and quasi-periodic oscillations, the connections between millisecond radio pulsars and low-mass X-ray binaries, and how the magnetic field of a neutron star decays. This long-awaited review provides graduate students and researchers with the standard reference on X-ray binaries for many years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book will be a valuable addition to any physics or astronomy library; even the nonexpert will benefit from a few hours browsing through it." Herbert Gursky, American Scientist

Book Description

X-ray binaries are some of the most varied and perplexing systems known to astronomers. The compact object which accretes mass from its companion star may be a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole, whereas the donor star can be a 'normal' star or a white dwarf. The various combinations differ widely in their behaviour, and this timely volume provides a unique reference of our knowledge to date of all of them.Fifteen specially written chapters by a team of the world's foremost researchers in the field explore all aspects of the X-ray binaries. They cover the X-ray, ultraviolet, optical and radio properties of these violent systems and address key issues such as: how were these systems formed, and what will be their fate; how can we understand X-ray bursts, and how the quasi-periodic oscillations; what is the connection between millisecond radio pulsars and low-mass X-ray binaries; and how does the magnetic field of a neutron star decay?This long awaited review provides graduate students and researchers with the standard reference on X-ray binaries for many years to come.

Product Details

• Paperback: 676 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521599342
• ISBN-13: 978-0521599344
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,303,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars X-ray binaries, May 2, 2000

By 

Raul Rodriguez (Ma, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: X-ray Binaries (Cambridge Astrophysics) (Paperback)

X-ray binaries was intended as a second edition to accretion driven stellar x-ray sources. It is a great reference book for high energy astrophysicist. It covers both observational and theoretical studies regarding X-ray binaries. It is one of the most recent and complete works in this area.