Astrophysical techniques

C.R. Kitchin0750309466, 9780750309462

This new edition of Professor Kitchin’s popular Astrophysical Techniques retains the aims of the earlier edition in providing a comprehensive and clearly understandable account of the instruments and techniques used in modern astronomy and astrophysics. Many new instruments and techniques are included for the first time, and some topics have been eliminated on the grounds that they have not been used by either professional or amateur astronomers for many years.
Drawing together an ever-diverging array of observational techniques, using the common thread of detection-imaging-ancillary instruments pattern, the author provides readers with a unified view of contemporary astrophysical investigation. This fully illustrated text starts from first principles and explains each method up to the point at which the reader can begin practical work and even start designing it. Exercises with answers are used to reinforce the ideas presented in each chapter. There is also an extensive bibliography to enable further study, appendices of tables of astrophysical data and a new section on web sites and on-line resources.
The treatment of the topics is at a level appropriate to a science-based undergraduate degree. As far as possible the mathematics and physics background that may be needed for a topic is developed or given within that section. Science undergraduates taking an astronomy option will find Astrophysical Techniques an essential study aid. Amateur astronomers of any level will find this book to be of immense value. Professional astronomers should use this book as a source of information on areas unfamiliar to them,