This book contains the proceedings of the meeting held in the lovely island of Vulcano, close to the noth coast of Sicily (ltaly) on September 20-24, 1999. Vlllcano is one of the group called Eolian islands. The name derives from the fact that the island is a volcano, and legend says that it was inhabited by the greek god Volcano. The subject of the conference was "The Chemical Evolution of the Milky Way: Stars versus Clusters." This colIoquium was a project devised by a group of italian astronomers (Franco Giovannelli, Francesca Matteucci and Sergio Or tolani) together with Beatriz Barbuy (Brazil) and R. M. Rich (U. S. A. ), on the hasis of the fact that alI of them actively work in the field and that the last meeting, held in Italy on this subject, was the Elba meeting in 1989 on "Chem ical and Dynamical Evolution of Galaxies." The reason for having the meeting in Vulcano was that the Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale (Tor Vergata, Roma) has a long tradition of organizing astronomic al meetings in Vulcano at the pleasant Eolian Hotel, which provides a secluded, beautiful and relaxing environment. The main purpose of this workshop was to gather a representative communi ty of astrophysicists involved in the study of the chemical evolution of the Milky Way both from a theoretical and an observational point of view."

Radio pulsars are rapidly rotating highly magnetized neutron stars. Studies of these fascinating objects have provided applications in solid-state physics, general relativity, galactic astronomy, astrometry, planetary physics and even cosmology. Most of these applications and much of what we know about neutron stars are derived from single-dish radio observations using state-of-the-art receivers and data acquisition systems. This comprehensive 2004 book is a unique resource that brings together the key observational techniques, background information and a review of results, including the discovery of a double pulsar system. Useful software tools are provided which can be used to analyse example data, made available on a related website. This work will be of great value not only to graduate students but also to researchers wishing to carry out and interpret a wide variety of radio pulsar observations.

The International Astronomical Union has encouraged the study of our galaxy through a series of symposia. This volume contains the proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 84 on the Large-Scale Characteristics of the Galaxy, held in College Park, Maryland, from June 12 to 17, 1978. Symposium No. 84 was jointly sponsored by IAU 2ommission 33, Structure and Dynamics of the Galactic System, and by Commission 34, Interstellar Matter and Planetary Nebulae. The Scientific Organizing Committee consisted of F. J. Kerr (chairman), B. J. Bok, W. B. Burton, J. Einasto, K. C. Freeman, P. O. Lindblad, D. Lynden-Bell, R. Sancisi, S. E. Strom, H. van Woerden, and R. Wielen. The topics and speakers were chosen in order to emphasize current observational material and theoretical results pertaining to various morphological aspects of our galaxy. In preparing the program particular care was taken to relate recent work on other galaxies to the situation in our own galaxy. The meetings were held in the Center for Adult Education on the campus of the University of Maryland. The Local Organizing Committee consisted of B. M .. Zuckerman (chairman), A. P. Henderson, P. D. Jackson, T. A. Matthews, B. F. Perry, V. C. Rubin, P. R. Schwartz, F. W. Stecker, J. D. Trasco, and G. Westerhout. Joan Ball ably assisted this committee. The National Science Foundation made a financial con tribution to the general support of the meeting. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory assisted with some of the participants' travel expenses."

This conference is a tribute to those astronomers who pioneered the investigation of this subject such a short time ago and who carried it through to its present state. (H. Arp, Concluding Remarks of the Conference) A previous conference, covering mainly the observational aspects of Supernovae, was held at the Haute Provence Observatory in September 1963. In the following ten years this field of research has considerably increased; it seemed, therefore, the right time to organize an international conference on Supernovae taking into account that in the meantime important discoveries, such as the Pulsars, had been made, and new techniques of observation were available. This book contains the proceedings of this conference held at Porto Cesareo (Lecce), Italy, during the period May 7 through 11, 1973. About one hundred participants from eighteen countries attended the conference. It was also the first attempt to hold an international conference in the Salento, the southernmost region of Apulia, in whose capital, Lecce, the newly founded Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lecce is located. The program of the conference included the results and techniques of Supernova surveys, photometric and spectral studies, statistics of Supernovae, Supernova Rem nants, and finally, theories on Supernovae and Supernova Remnants.

The Andromeda Galaxy Messier s M31 has an almost romantic appeal. It is the most distant object and the only extragalactic object that is visible to the unaided human eye. Now known to be about 21/2 million light-years away, it appears in the sky to be several times the width of the full Moon under good seeing conditions. The Andromeda Galaxy and the Rise of Modern Astronomy examines the astronomical studies of Andromeda and its importance to our developing knowledge of the universe. The book discusses how M31 was described both by the Ancients, but more importantly, by astronomers from the nineteenth century to the present.

While at the start of the twentieth century the universe was thought of as a finite cosmos dominated by the Milky Way, the study of Andromeda galaxy shattered that image, leading ultimately to the conception of an infinite universe of countless galaxies and vast distances. Even today, M31 is a major focal point for new astronomical discoveries, and it also remains one of the most popular (and rewarding) celestial objects for amateur astronomers to observe and study. This book reveals the little-known history of M31 and the scientists who study it.

For all who are interested in astronomy, the skies, and perhaps even the origins of the universe, The Andromeda Galaxy and the Rise of Modern Astronomy provides a first-of-its-kind accessible, informative, and highly readable account of how the study and observation of this celestial object has driven the development of astronomy from ancient times to the present.

This book contains the invited and contributed lectures presented at a meeting organised in the context of the XVIII general assembly ofthe IAU, held in Patras, August 19, 1982. Roughly one hundred scientists attended this meeting, the discussions were livel- sometimes heated - and the original time span allocated to the meeting was as a result, comfortably exceeded by about 50 % . The aim of this meeting was to determine the role of galactic gamma-ray astronomy within the general concept of galactic astrophysics. The timing, at the end of the COS-B mission, was regarded as opportune, because it gives interested astrophysicists the possibility for interdisciplinary studies using the existing gamma-ray data base (e.g. comparison with infrared, radio, X-ray, etc. astronomies), as well as for theoretical studies. The next generation of gamma-ray detectors will probably not be in operation for another 5 to 10 years, and therefore it is hoped that the proceeding of this meeting can be used (in the intermediate time) as a basis for further studies, as a stimulation for more theoretical work and as an important contribution for defining the aims and operation of future gamma-ray missions. The interrelationship with other branches of astronomy, the astrophysical implications and the study of relevant physical processes using available measurements in the near-Earth environment were important results of the meeting. Many persons contributed to the success of the meeting, in particular all those who either presented a contribution and/or took part in the discussions.

The publication of the morphology - density relation by Alan Dressler in 1980 brought into the limelight the role played by environment in the formation and evolution of galaxies. The symposium Environment and the Formation of Galaxies: 30 years later, was organised with the purpose of establishing the environmental impact on the evolution of galaxies and its dependence on look-back time. Special emphasis was placed on the physical mechanisms that are responsible for transforming galaxies once they are accreted by a group or a cluster, including the observable imprint left in the galaxy HI distribution. Other major topics of the symposium were the environmental dependence of galaxy properties at z 1 and the implementation of environmental effects in cosmological models of galaxy formation and evolution. This book presents the edited proceedings of this stimulating meeting.

Supernovae are among the most exciting things occurring in the universe. Much recent research has concentrated on phenomena related to supernovae. For example, the origin of the cosmic rays and the origin of the bulk of the heavy elements seem to be closely associated with the phenomenon of supernovae. With the discovery of the pulsar in the Crab, it seemed clear that supernovae were also intimately as sociated with the formation of neutron stars and perhaps even black holes. The purpose of the conference, of which this volume contains the proceedings, was to bring together the leaders of supernova re search, each of whom has concentrated on different aspects of the problem, to try to form a coherent picture both observationally and theoretically of our current understanding of supernovae. In so doing, key invited talks were presented on the light curves of super novae, both observationally and theoretically; on the possible uses of supernovae, for example in determination of the Hubble Constant; on the formation and evolution of supernova remnants, again both ob servationally and theoretically. The possibility that supernovae might explain quasars was also presented. A review of the current status of statistics of supernovae was presented, giving the rate at which they go off and the implications with regard to what mass stars are the progenitors for supernovae. Again, this was presented both from the observational point of view and from the theoretical stellar evolution point of view."

When the Executive Committee of the International Astronomical Union asked me, in 1968, to organize a Symposium on White Dwarfs it became evident that members of at least four Commissions of the IAU should participate, and that the most oppor tune place, and time to hold such a Symposium would be somewhere in the British Isles and just preceding the Fourteenth General Assembly at Brighton in August, 1970. After a preliminary correspondence with Dr. D. W. N. Stibbs it was decided to accept his invitation to hold the Symposium at St. Andrews University, Scotland, while the dates 11-13 August 1970 were selected. I am sure I speak for all the partici pants of the Symposium when I express our deep gratitude to Dr. Stibbs for the admirable way in which he planned and organized this meeting down to the smallest details - the success of the conference is due in no small measure to his continuous and painstaking efforts. An organizing committee was formed, consisting of O. J. Eggen (Photometry), J. L. Greenstein (Spectroscopy), A. G. Masevitch (Stellar Interiors), V. Weidemann (Stellar Atmospheres), D. W. N. Stibbs (local chairman), with myself (Proper Motions and Parallaxes) as overall chairman.

Three eminent scientists, each well known for the clarity of their writing, present for students and researchers what is known about the internal structure, origin and evolution of White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars and Black Holes, all objects at the final stage of stellar evolution. They cover fascinating topics such as pulsation of white dwarfs, millisecond pulsars or the dynamics around black holes. The book is written for graduate students in astrophysics, but is also of interest to professional astronomers and physicists.

The Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy organizes each year in the late winter or early spring an advanced course. The format of the school is always iden tical: three leading lecturers are invited to cover the subject in nine or ten lectures each and to deliver a written version of their lecture notes. Lectures are held in the morning and late afternoon, thus leaving ample time for discussion and skiing. These arrangements prove very convivial and lead to an excellent atmosphere in which to learn exciting new subjects and establish contacts with colleagues. A wide variety of people attend the school, including many young students, mostly from Europe, and some experienced researchers. The 20th Advanced Course of the Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy took place in Les Diablerets from 1 to 6 April 1990. It was devoted to observational and theoretical aspects of active galactic nuclei. The previous advanced courses of the Swiss Society for Astrophysics and Astronomy have regularly taken place in Saas-Fee, a small resort in the Swiss Alps, hence the name "Saas-Fee" used to de scribe the courses and lecture notes. In the last three years, however, the course was organized in Leysin and in Les Diablerets, both also situated in the Swiss Alps."

This volume of lecture notes brings together the knowledge on pulsations of the Sun and the stars, with a particular emphasis on recent observations and modelling, and on the influence of pulsations of other physical processes. The book begins with an extensive introduction to helioseismology. The solar cycle and gravity modes are discussed before the focus is widened from helioseismology to asteroseismology which is detailed in a series of specific chapters. Based on courses given at a graduate school, these tutorial lecture notes will be of interest and useful to a rather broad audience of scientists and students.

The Cosmos Explained is an exciting and beautifully designed book that charts the life of our universe from the Big Bang to the present day and beyond. Starting with the moment of the Big Bang-at exactly one ten-millionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second-this book charts a history of space and time all the way through the evolution of our solar system, the birth of stars and the formation of life on Earth, to the future of our galaxy and beyond. With deeply insightful and fascinating text by Hayden Planetarium Associate Professor Charles Liu, who also hosts the immensely popular StarTalk podcast, this book is an accessible and enthralling gateway into the mysteries of space, time and the universe. Pinpoint exactly where you are in space and time using the timeline at the bottom of every page, and explore the history of the cosmos and the science behind it through beautiful telescope images and striking illustrations. Packaged in a unique retro design that reflects the 1960s cosmonaut era but still feels modern and relevant today, this title is as rich with information as it is with stunning visualisations of the concepts and bodies detailed within. An ideal gift for anyone interested in space or curious about the cosmos, The Cosmos Explained is a unique and entertaining timeline of life, the universe, and everything!

This is a book about the physics of stars and starlight. The story of starlight is truly fascinating. Astronomers analyze and interpret the light from stars using photometry and spectroscopy, then inspirational detective work combines with the laws of physics to reveal the temperatures, masses, luminosities and outer structure of these far away points of light. The laws of physics themselves enable us to journey to the very center of a star and to understand its inner structure and source of energy!

Starlight provides an in-depth study of stellar astrophysics that requires only basic high school mathematics and physics, making it accessible to all amateur astronomers. Starlight teaches amateur astronomers about the physics of stars and starlight in a friendly, easy-to-read way. The reader will take away a profoundly deeper understanding of this truly fascinating subject and find his practical observations more rewarding and fulfilling as a result.

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.

Are you an emotional Scorpio who needs to pour out your latest drama to your friends and relatives? Perhaps you're an uptight Capricorn who keeps all your feeling to yourself? Are you a flirtatious Libran, a brave but thoughtless Arian or a careful Cancerian? Whatever your characteristics are, The Magic of Astrology will help explain the unexplainable in your life, give advice on your relationships, careers and much, much more. Since the dawn of humanity, we have always looked up to the stars for guidance, whether we are lost at sea or lost in life. Astrology is an ancient science, with tried and tested advice from various cultures all across the world over thousands of years. Are you anxious in a new relationship? Are you stuck in an unsatisfying job? Has an opportunity arisen, but you find it hard to make a decision? Astrology can show you the way. This book shows you how you can unlock your hidden potential and reveal your true personality. It offers an engaging, in-depth analysis of every zodiac sign, so you can compare with your friends and family, and it also explains how astrology can influence and improve every area of your life. Packed with detailed compatibility charts and advice, this practical guide channels the secret of the starts to help you to live life to the fullest.

Stars in Their Courses is an introduction, originally published in 1934, to astronomy and the wonders of the universe brought to us by the technology of the telescope. The book is illustrated with a large number of photographs, and was especially written for readers with no previous scientific knowledge.

The formation of galaxies is one of the greatest puzzles in astronomy, the solution is shrouded in the depths of space and time, but has profound implications for the universe we observe today. This book discusses the beginnings of the process from cosmological observations and calculations. It examines the different theories of galaxy formation and shows where each theory either succeeds or fails in explaining what we actually observe. In addition, the book looks ahead to what we may expect to uncover about the epoch of galaxy formation from the new and upcoming generations of telescopes and technology.

In recent years knowledge of nova phenomena has grown significantly due to the advent of new observational facilities, both on the ground and in space, and considerable advances in theoretical work. This second edition has been fully updated and revised and contains new contributions covering important developments in this field, and reflecting on interesting new insights into classical novae. The book examines thermonuclear processes, the evolution of nova systems, nova atmospheres and winds, the evolution of dust and molecules in novae, nova remnants, and observations of novae in other galaxies. It includes observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio to gamma rays, and discusses some of the most important outstanding problems in classical nova research. This is the only book devoted solely to the study of classical novae, and as such is an important reference for researchers actively engaged in the subject and graduate students seeking an introduction.

The formation of the first supermassive black holes is one of the main open questions in our understanding of high-redshift structure formation. In this book, we aim to provide a summary of state-of-the-art modern research on this topic, exploring the formation of massive black holes from a fluid-dynamical, stellar-dynamical and chemical perspective. The book thus presents a solid theoretical foundation, a comparison with current observations and future observational perspectives with upcoming missions such as the Square Kilometre Array, the European Extremely Large Telescope, the Euclid satellite as well as possible detections via gravitational waves.

This book provides a valuable learning tool to facilitate identifying patterns and stars in the sky. Suitable for observers using binoculars and medium size telescopes, this catalog includes star pictures, dot-to-dot outlines of the objects (on a negative photograph for clarity), and an artistic image next to the star patterns. Size, stellar magnitudes, and coordinates are provided, along with north direction, star-hopping instructions and Sky Atlas 2000 references. With the help of this book, the imaginative observer will soon begin to develop a new insight into star patterns, and will start seeing patterns of their own.

Of all the fixed stars in the night sky, Sirius is by far the brightest - almost twice as bright as its nearest rival, the star Canopus. Presently, new observations from space are revealing, in precise terms, how stars like Sirius and the Sun have evolved and what they will ultimately become, while at the same time answering some of the age-old questions about Sirius. Sirius - A Diamond in the Night will tell two stories. The first and most obvious is why the star known as Sirius has been regarded as an important fixture of the night sky by many civilizations and cultures since the beginnings of history. A second, but related, narrative is the prominent part that Sirius has played in how we came to achieve our current scientific understanding of the nature and fate of the stars.

Black holes are among the most mysterious objects that the human mind has been capable of imagining. As pure mathematical constructions, they are tools for exploiting the fundamental laws of physics. As astronomical sources, they are part of our cosmic landscape, warping space-time, coupled to the large-scale properties and life cycle of their host galaxy, and perhaps even linked to galaxy formation. This volume, which grew from a recent doctoral school sponsored by the Italian Society of Relativity and Gravitation, brings together contributions from leading authorities to provide a review of recent developments in the study of the astrophysical black holes that inhabit nearby galaxies and distant quasars. These lectures reveal the deep symbiotic relationship between black holes and their cosmic environment and show that black holes are key sources for exploring not only our local universe, but also our cosmic dawn. Topics range from the observational evidence for supermassive black holes and the joint evolution of black holes and galaxies to the cold dark matter paradigm of hierarchical galaxy formation and from the cosmic history of the diffuse intergalactic medium to the ecology of black holes in star clusters.

While most amateur astronomers know about the red shift, have a general idea of the way that the emission and absorption lines in stellar spectra provide an insight into the atomic processes of the star; it is unusual to find someone who has any kind of detailed knowledge. The reason isn't lack on interest - far from it - but is because all the books currently available are pitched at professional astronomers and degree students, and are to say the least, difficult to read. This is the first non-technical book on this subject, written specifically for practical amateur astronomers. It includes all the science necessary for a qualitative understanding of stellar spectra, but avoids a mathematical treatment which would alienate many of its intended readers. Any amateur astronomer who carries out (or who is interested in) observational spectroscopy and who wants a non-technical account of the physical processes which determine the intensity and profile morphology of lines in stellar spectra will find this is the only book written specially for him.And of course, armchair astronomers who simply want to understand the physical processes which shape lines in stellar spectra will find this book equally fascinating.

The past two decades have seen remarkable advances in observations of sunspots and their magnetic fields, in imaging of spots and fields in distant stars and in associated theoretical models and numerical simulations. This book provides a comprehensive combined account of the properties of sunspots and starspots. It covers both observations and theory, and describes the intricate fine structure of a sunspot's magnetic field and the prevalence of polar spots on stars. The book includes a substantial historical introduction and treats solar and stellar magnetic activity, dynamo models of magnetic cycles, and the influence of solar variability on the Earth's magnetosphere and climate. This volume is a valuable reference for graduate students and specialists in solar and stellar physics, astronomers, geophysicists, space physicists and experts in fluid dynamics and plasma physics.