When Edwin Dunkin (1821 1898) published this book in 1869, it was received with widespread acclaim by both professional astronomers and the reading public. Dunkin, a distinguished astronomer who published widely in academic journals and later served in the prestigious roles of Deputy Astronomer Royal (1881 1884) and President of the Royal Astronomical Society (1880), is still best known for this work of popular astronomy that has functioned as an indispensable tool for generations of amateurs. Chapter 1 derives from Dunkin's famous 'The Midnight Sky at London' articles, previously published in Leisure Hour, which describe the London midnight sky during each month of the year. Other chapters cover the Southern Hemisphere, the constellations, the properties of fixed stars, the solar system, and meteors and shooting stars. The volume is well illustrated with star maps and engravings. It is a classic work of popular nineteenth-century astronomical writing.

Admiral William Henry Smyth's Sidereal Chromatics (1864) represents a landmark achievement in nineteenth-century astronomy, offering the most precise observations of the colours of double stars yet recorded. An expansion upon his well-known Bedford Cycle of Celestial Objects, which garnered a gold medal from the Royal Astronomical Society, Sidereal Chromatics provides both a theory concerning the source of double-star colours and a method for determining their most exact description. Detailed charts compare Smyth's measurements of more than one hundred double stars with his own previously published observations and those of his fellow astronomer, Father Benedetto Sestini. This edition also includes Smyth's famous colour chart, an attempt to standardise the process of identifying double-star colours. Sidereal Chromatics ends with Smyth's plea to amateur astronomers to continue the effort of charting the heavens, aided by improved telescopes and works such as his, 'trustworthy treatises available to all men'.

Observational cosmology, with the help of large telescopes, combined with the capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope and other space missions, allow astronomers to directly observe galaxy assembly over cosmic time. These developments demand that scientists are trained in the methods suited to the study of distant galaxies. This volume contains the lectures delivered at the XI Canary Islands Winter School of Astrophysics, reviewing both scientific results and the main questions in the field. It covers the study of normal galaxies, distant galaxies, and studies based on far-infrared diagnostics, it reviews quasar absorption lines, and the properties of nearby galaxies. Each chapter is written by a world expert in the field, making the book an essential reference for all astronomers working in the field of high-redshift galaxies.

Clusters of galaxies are the largest and most massive collapsed systems in the Universe, and as such they are valuable probes of cosmological structure and galaxy evolution. The advent of extensive galaxy surveys, large ground-based facilities, space-based missions such as HST, Chandra and XMM-Newton and detailed numerical simulations makes a particularly exciting time to be involved in this field. The review papers in this volume span a comprehensive range of research in this area, including theoretical expectations for the growth of structure, survey techniques to identify clusters, metal production and the intracluster medium, galaxy evolution in the cluster environment and group-cluster connections. With contributions from leading authorities in the field, this volume is appropriate both as an introduction to this topic for physics and astronomy graduate students, and as a reference source for professional research astronomers.

This book was originally published in 2004. Black holes are among the most mysterious objects in the Universe. Weighing up to several billion Suns, massive black holes have long been suspected to be the central powerhouses of energetic phenomena such as quasars. Advances in astronomy have not only provided spectacular proof of this long-standing paradigm, but have revealed the unexpected result that far from being rare, exotic beasts, they inhabit the center of virtually all large galaxies. Candidate black holes have been identified in increasingly large numbers of galaxies, both inactive and active, to the point where statistical studies are possible. Fresh work has highlighted the close connection between the formation, growth, and evolution of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. This volume contains the invited lectures from an international symposium that was held to explore this exciting theme, and is a valuable review for professional astronomers and graduate students.

Estimating accurate stellar ages is one of the most difficult challenges in astrophysics. A star's age cannot be measured directly, and currently we only know the accurate age for one star: the Sun. Stellar ages lie at the heart of much of astrophysics. The accurate determination of timescales for physical processes in the stars allows us to compare the properties of stars at different stages in their lives. In IAU Symposium 258 astrophysicists from around the world discuss the current state of the problem of estimating ages of stars and stellar populations. They describe their efforts to better constrain the ages of individual stars and groups of stars through improved observations and physical models. IAU S258 highlights where the advances are being made and predicts what the near future offers.

First published in 1988 In Darkness Born brings together diverse work from many different branches of astronomy and shows clearly the synthesis of ideas that has resulted. The book presents the basic physical and astronomical ideas that are adequate for the lay reader to grasp the nature of our galaxy and to understand the way in which it formed. These basic concepts are used to develop a theoretical picture of how stars are born from giant clouds of gas and dust, and to understand the evidence from optical, radio, X-ray, ultraviolet and infrared observation. Martin Cohen is a recognised authority in this field. His knowledge and lucid style have resulted in a book which provides a stimulating introduction to most of the major concepts of astronomy. Any reader who prefers to grasp these concepts and ideas without tangling with theory and equations will find this a fascinating and illuminating book.

This tract gives a simple but rigorous treatment of some of the mathematical problems that arise in the theory of the transfer of radiation through the atmosphere of a star. Similar problems occur in the theory of the diffusion of neutrons and in the study of temperature-wave flow in solids; so the solutions found in one theory can often be applied in the others. Dr Busbridge's starting-point is the equation of transfer. The first section provides the auxiliary mathematics, and the second discusses the Milne equations. Some unsolved and incompletely solved problems are considered in an appendix. The language and notation of astrophysics is used throughout, for brevity and simplicity, but translation into other notations is usually fairly easy. Over the years the subject had grown considerably, and several outstanding problems have been solved, though the total amount of rigorous work is small. This tract will help to clear up confusions which exist and will provide an introduction to some of the more powerful mathematical techniques available.

In all phases of the life of a star, hydrodynamical processes play a major role. This volume gives a comprehensive overview of the state of knowledge in stellar astrophysical fluid dynamics, and its publication marked the 60th birthday of Douglas Gough, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge and leading contributor to stellar astrophysical fluid dynamics. Topics include properties of pulsating stars, helioseismology, convection and mixing in stellar interiors, dynamics of stellar rotation, planet formation and the generation of stellar and planetary magnetic fields. Each chapter is written by leading experts in the field, and the book provides an overview that is central to any attempt to understand the properties of stars and their evolution. With extensive references to the technical literature, this is a valuable text for researchers and graduate students in stellar astrophysics.

Contemporary astronomers continue to search for ways to understand the irregular distribution of galaxies in our Universe. This volume describes gravitational theory, computer simulations and observations related to galaxy distribution functions, which is a general method for measuring the distribution of galaxies and their motions. Coverage embeds distribution functions in a broader astronomical context, and includes other contemporary topics such as correlation functions, fractals, bound clusters, topology, percolation and minimal spanning trees. Throughout, theory, computer simulation and observation are carefully interwoven and critically compared, and key results are derived and the necessary gravitational physics provided. The book also shows how future observations can test the theoretical models for the evolution of galaxy clustering at early times in our Universe. This clear and authoritative volume is written at a level suitable for graduate students, and will be of key interest to astronomers, cosmologists, physicists and applied statisticians.

Charles Messier's catalogue of nebulae and star clusters, published in 1784, marked the start of a new era of deep sky astronomy. This tradition of observing galaxies and clusters is kept alive by serious amateur astronomers who study the objects of the deep sky. Nearly all the objects are visible in a small telescope. Many, such as the Crab Nebula and the Andromeda galaxy, are among the most fascinating objects in the universe. Kenneth Glyn Jones has revised his definitive version of Messier's catalogue. His own observations and drawings, together with maps and diagrams, make this a valuable introduction to deep sky observing. Historical and astrophysical notes bring the science of these nebulae to the fore. This is a unique handbook, unlikely ever to be equalled in its completeness and importance to the telescope owner.

Amateur astronomers are always on the lookout for new observing challenges. This exciting book retraces the steps of the greatest visual observer and celestial explorer who ever lived. This is a practical guide to locating and viewing the most impressive of Herschel 's star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, cataloging more than 600 of the brightest objects, and offering detailed descriptions and images of 150 to 200 of the best.

Until recently, black holes were often considered as exotic objects of dubious existence. In the last decade, observations have provided overwhelming evidence in favour of the presence of supermassive black holes at the centre of galaxies, including the Milky Way; of stellar-mass black holes in binary stellar systems; and, possibly, of intermediate-mass black holes in ultraluminous X-ray sources in nearby galaxies. Black holes are now widely accepted as real physical entities, playing an important role in modern astrophysics. The IAU S238 brought together observers and theoreticians working in black hole astrophysics - from stellar-mass black holes to supermassive ones residing at the centre of galaxies - with the aim of highlighting and discussing similarities in the physics involved. Leading researchers review the subject and report on recent results on accretion discs, relativistic jets, spectroscopy in different spectral bands - from X-rays to radio - and other aspects of black hole astrophysics.

This authoritative volume provides a comprehensive review of the origin and evolution of planetary nebulae. It covers all the stages of their evolution, carefully synthesizes observations from across the spectrum, and clearly explains all the key physical processes at work. Particular emphasis is placed on observations from space, using the Hubble Space Telescope, the Infrared Space Observatory, and the ROSAT satellite. This book presents a thoroughly modern understanding of planetary nebulae, integrating developments in stellar physics with the dynamics of nebular evolution. It also describes exciting possibilities such as the use of planetary nebulae in determining the cosmic distance scale, the distribution of dark matter and the chemical evolution of galaxies. This book provides graduate students with an accessible introduction to planetary nebulae, and researchers with an authoritative reference. It can also be used as an advanced text on the physics of the interstellar medium.

Star names, the zodiac, constellations; folklore and literature associated with heavens. The basic book of its field. Fascinating reading solidly based on years of thorough research into astronomical writings and observations of the ancient Chinese, Arabic, Euphrates, Hellenic and Roman civilizaitons.

Like the Earth and planets, stars rotate. Understanding how stars rotate is central to modelling their structure, formation and evolution, and how they interact with their environment and companion stars. This authoritative volume, first published in 2000, provides a lucid introduction to stellar rotation and the definitive reference to the subject. It combines theory and observation in a comprehensive survey of how the rotation of stars affects the structure and evolution of the Sun, single stars and close binaries. This book will be of primary interest to graduate students and researchers studying solar and stellar rotation and close binary systems. It will also appeal to those with a more general interest in solar and stellar physics, star formation, binary stars and the hydrodynamics of rotating fluids - including geophysicists, planetary scientists and plasma physicists.

The Local Group is a small cluster of galaxies that includes the Milky Way. At least half of all galaxies in the Universe are thought to belong to similar groups. This authoritative volume provides a comprehensive synthesis of what is known about the Local Group. It begins with a summary of each member galaxy, as well as those galaxies previously regarded as possible members. The book examines the mass, stability and evolution of the Local Group as a whole and includes many important previously unpublished results and conclusions. With clarity, Professor van den Bergh provides a masterful summary of all that is known about the galaxies of the Local Group and their evolution, and expertly places this knowledge in the wider context of on-going studies of galaxy formation and evolution, the cosmic distance scale, and the conditions in the early Universe.

The brightest supernova explosion since the invention of the telescope has led to a corresponding explosion in research activity. This volume presents the papers from the Fourth George Mason University Workshop, held in the fall of 1987. There are numerous descriptions of the latest observations of this supernova and of the implications for theory. The book is an essential reference for all professional astronomers in stellar and galactic research who need the latest information on this fascinating phenomenon.

Most galaxies lie in clusters, where tidal interactions are a significant force. Tidal and dynamical interactions and the features they cause in galaxies are important to the study of galactic evolution. For example, a large amount of data has been collected on dust-lane ellipticals, polar-ring galaxies, spirals with extended warps, and galaxies with inclined HI rings or unusual "tails." This book is a record of a meeting held at the University of Pittsburgh that provided an informal, yet focused environment for the interaction of astronomers who have addressed these questions with a wide variety of skills, techniques, and points of view.

This book presents the theory of the electrodynamic phenomena which occur in the magnetosphere of a pulsar. It also provides a clear picture of the formation and evolution of neutron stars. The authors address the basic physical processes of electron-positron plasma production, the generation of electric fields and currents, and the emission of radio waves and gamma rays. The book also reviews observational data, and devotes a complete chapter to a detailed comparison of this data with accepted theory and with some recent theoretical predictions. Tables containing the values of the physical parameters of all observed radio pulsars are also provided. The book is illustrated throughout and is fully referenced. Graduate students and researchers in astrophysics and plasma physics working in the field of radio pulsars will find this book of great value.

The Local Group of galaxies consists of the Milky Way and all of its neighbors. The proximity of these galaxies allows for detailed studies of the processes that have led to their formation, structures, and evolution. In particular, studies of the Local Group can test predictions of structure formation that are based on dark energy and cold dark matter. This book presents a collection of review papers, written by world experts, on some of the most important aspects of Local Group Astrophysics. It is an invaluable resource for both professional researchers and graduate students in this cutting-edge area of research.

Dwarf galaxies offer a valuable insight into the physical processes that govern galaxy formation and evolution at high redshift. These elusive stellar systems are helping astronomers to find answers to some of the most burning questions in extragalactic astronomy. Present-day dwarf galaxies, the easily studied survivors of the primordial galaxy population, are important targets for research in the quest to provide local benchmarks for cosmological studies, in particular theories of structure formation. The proceedings of IAUC198 offer an exciting multidisciplinary collection of research results. The interpretation of the faint blue galaxy excess; the mismatch of the observed dwarf galaxy numbers with popular cosmological model predictions; and the puzzling diversity of star-formation histories among Local Group dwarf elliptical galaxies, are amongst the topical questions covered. Dwarf galaxy specialists and cosmologists map out strategies and outline a framework for progress on important issues related to near-field cosmology with dwarf elliptical galaxies.

ASTRONOMERSa (TM) OBSERVING GUIDES provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis of the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments.

Star Clusters and How to Observe Them is a mine of information for all levels of amateur observers, from beginners to experienced observers. It begins with a detailed yet easily assimilated description of star clusters, how they were formed as our Milky Way galaxy evolved, and how they are classified. The latest research has revealed a vast amount of fascinating information about the clusters, along with some spectacular photographs.

Modern commercially-made telescopes enable amateur astronomers to see a surprising amount of detail, and to record a" using CCD cameras, video, webcams or even film a" some remarkably beautiful and detailed images. There is detailed information on using refractors, reflectors, SCTa (TM)s (like Meade and Celestron) and computer-controlled telescopes

The book includes an Observing List cataloguing star clusters to be observed or imaged using a variety of different instruments, all of them available commercially to amateur astronomers.

Studies of stars and stellar populations, and the discovery and characterization of exoplanets, are being revolutionized by new satellite and telescope observations of unprecedented quality and scope. Some of the most significant advances have been in the field of asteroseismology, the study of stars by observation of their oscillations. Asteroseismic Data Analysis gives a comprehensive technical introduction to this discipline. This book not only helps students and researchers learn about asteroseismology; it also serves as an essential instruction manual for those entering the field. The book presents readers with the foundational techniques used in the analysis and interpretation of asteroseismic data on cool stars that show solar-like oscillations. The techniques have been refined, and in some cases developed, to analyze asteroseismic data collected by the NASA Kepler mission. Topics range from the analysis of time-series observations to extract seismic data for stars to the use of those data to determine global and internal properties of the stars. Reading lists and problem sets are provided, and data necessary for the problem sets are available online. The first book to describe in detail the different techniques used to analyze the data on stellar oscillations, Asteroseismic Data Analysis offers an invaluable window into the hearts of stars. * Introduces the asteroseismic study of stars and the theory of stellar oscillations* Describes the analysis of observational (time-domain) data* Examines how seismic parameters are extracted from observations* Explores how stellar properties are determined from seismic data* Looks at the "inverse problem," where frequencies are used to infer internal structures of stars

This unique volume provides a complete reference on variable stars. It presents a wealth of typical light- and colour-curves to allow identification, together with a detailed and up-to-date description of each subclass. The editors, together with seven other world experts, have created a unique pictorial atlas of variable stars. In the first chapter they give a clear introduction to the nomenclature and classification of the light curves of variable stars, and to photometric systems. In the remaining chapters they provide a detailed account of each subclass: from eruptive, pulsating, rotating and cataclysmic variables, through to eclipsing-binary systems and X-ray binaries. Specific variable stars, types and classes of variables, together with key astrophysical terms can be quickly and easily located in the book by means of detailed object-name and subject indexes. This comprehensive and up-to-date volume provides an essential reference for all those interested in variable stars - from researchers and graduate students through to dedicated amateurs.