Understanding Variable Stars [Paperback]

A concise introduction and overview of variable stars, for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers, first published in 2007.This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. It is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers.This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. It is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers.Variable stars are those that change brightness. They come in many varieties, but each one provides important information about the star: its properties, its internal structure, and its evolution. This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. Intended for anyone with some background knowledge of astronomy, it is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers.1. Introduction; 2. Stars in general; 3. Rotating variable stars; 4. Eclipsing variable stars; 5. Pulsating variable stars; 6. Cataclysmic variable stars; 7. Young variable stars; 8. Miscellaneous variable stars; 9. Applications of variable stars; 10. Epilogue; Appendices. Amateurs and academics with an interest in the subject of variable stars will perhaps come to regard this as a modern classic.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Tightly written, and frequently interspersed with figures and graphs, the book contains and enormity of fact and discussion...a formost authorlœ