Handbook of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics, Third Edition

781 Pages·2008·32.47 MB·English

by  Martin V. Zombec

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HANDBOOK OF SPACE ASTRONOMY
AND ASTROPHYSICS
Third Edition
Fully updated and including data from space-based observations, this Third Edition
is a comprehensive compilation of the facts and figures relevant to astronomy and
astrophysics. As well as a vast number of tables, graphs, diagrams, and formulae,
it also includes a comprehensive index and bibliography, allowing readers to easily
find the information they require. The book covers a diverse range of topics in
addition to astronomy and astrophysics, including atomic physics, nuclear physics,
relativity, plasma physics, electromagnetism, mathematics, probability and statis-
tics, and geophysics.
This handbook contains the most frequently used information in modern as-
trophysics, and is an essential reference for graduate students, researchers and
professionals working in astronomy and the space sciences. A website containing
extensive supplementary information and databases, maintained by the author, can
be found at www.cambridge.org/9780521782425.
MARTIN ZOMBECK was a senior scientist at the High Energy Astrophysics
Division of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. He is co-editor of High Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy of Cosmic
Plasmas (Cambridge University Press, 1990).

HANDBOOK OF SPACE ASTRONOMY
AND ASTROPHYSICS
Third Edition
MARTIN V. ZOMBECK
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, USA
CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY PRESS
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo
Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521782425
© Cambridge University Press 2007
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the
provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part
may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published in print format 2006
ISBN-13 978-0-511-34872-3 eBook (EBL)
ISBN-13 978-0-521-78242-5 hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy
of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication,
and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
Contents
Some weeks later the Einsteins were taken to the Mt. Wilson Observatory in
California. Mrs. Einstein was particularly impressed by the giant telescope.
'What on Earth do they use it for?, she asked. Her host explained that one
of its chief purposes was to find out the shape of the Universe. "Oh", said
Mrs. Einstein, "my husband does that on the back of an envelope. - Bennett
Cerf in "Try and Stop Me".
Foreword
Preface
1 General data 1
2 Astronomy and astrophysics 35
3 Radio astronomy 185
4 Infrared and submillimeter astronomy 211
5 Ultraviolet astronomy 233
6 X-ray astronomy 253
7 Gamma-ray astronomy 293
8 Cosmic rays 309
9 Earth's atmosphere and environment 323
10 Relativity and cosmology 347
11 Atomic physics 367
12 Electromagnetic radiation 385
13 Plasma physics 405
14 Experimental astronomy and astrophysics 413
15 Astronautics 535
16 Mathematics 551
17 Probability and statistics 579
18 Radiation safety 597
19 Astronomical catalogs 611
20 Computer science 623
21 Glossary of abbreviations and symbols 651
Appendices 659
Index 753

Foreword
Modern astrophysics requires the use of observations over the broadest
range of wavelengths to fully understand the physical nature of the
objects and processes we wish to study in the universe.
Data are obtained from ground-based and space-based observations
operating in radio, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma
rays. The design and operation of the instrumentation used to
gather this information, the telescopes and detectors themselves,
depend on the interaction between matter and radioactivity at the
different wavelengths and requires in-depth knowledge of the findings
of molecular, atomic, nuclear, and particle physics.
The observer needs to have the data at hand to understand the
properties and the limitations of the instrumentation and their relevance
to data reduction, analysis, and interpretation.
The theorist who is seeking new models to interpret the findings from the
most sensitive and sophisticated observatories that ever existed needs,
from time to time, a reality check with what is known.
The Handbook of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics gathers in one
place the most frequently-used information in modern astrophysics and
presents it in the most useful fashion to the non-specialist in a particular
field.
I always loved the chapter on relativistic astrophysics and I am glad it
has been retained and improved. I am also glad for the new chapters
on experimental subjects that bring the Handbook up-to-date.
I am certain that some young person will find here, as I did, useful food
for thought and inspiration that he or she will need to design the next
generation of telescopes.
Washington, DC Riccardo Giacconi
May, 2005 Nobel laureate, 2002
Physics