Introduction to Astronomical Photometry (Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers, Series Number 6)

Completely updated, this second edition gives a broad review of astronomical photometry to provide an understanding of astrophysics from a data-based perspective. It explains the underlying principles of the instruments used, and the applications and inferences derived from measurements. Each chapter has been fully revised to account for the latest developments, including the use of CCDs. Highly illustrated, this book provides an overview and historical background of the subject before reviewing the main themes within astronomical photometry. The central chapters focus on the practical design of the instruments and methodology used. The book concludes by discussing specialised topics in stellar astronomy, concentrating on the information derived from the analysis of the light curves of variable stars and close binary systems. It includes numerous bibliographic notes and a glossary of terms. It is ideal for graduate students, academic researchers and advanced amateurs interested in practical and observational astronomy. Half-title......Page 3 Series-title......Page 5 Title......Page 7 Copyright......Page 8 Contents......Page 9 Preface to first edition......Page 13 Preface to second edition......Page 17 1.1 Scope of the subject......Page 19 1.2 Requirements......Page 20 1.3 Participants......Page 23 1.4 Targets......Page 24 1.5 Bibliographical notes......Page 26 References......Page 28 2.1 Optical photometry......Page 29 2.2 Historical notes......Page 32 2.3 Some basic terminology......Page 45 2.4 Radiation: waves and photons......Page 50 2.5 Bibliographical notes......Page 52 References......Page 55 3.1 Radiation field concepts......Page 57 3.2 Black body radiation......Page 60 3.3 The Sun seen as a star......Page 62 3.4 The bolometric correction......Page 67 3.5 Stellar fluxes and temperatures......Page 69 3.6 Broadband filters: essential points......Page 74 3.7 Surface flux and colour correlations......Page 81 3.8 Absolute parameters of stars......Page 83 3.9 Bibliographical notes......Page 86 References......Page 88 4.1.1 Atmospheric extinction......Page 90 4.1.2 The atmospheric mass......Page 92 4.1.3 Interstellar extinction......Page 95 4.2.1 The UBV system......Page 98 4.2.2 Other broadband systems......Page 104 4.3.1 The uvby system......Page 110 4.3.2 Further development......Page 116 4.4.1 Principles and primary applications......Page 121 4.4.2 Testing stellar models and dynamics......Page 126 4.5 Fast photometry......Page 128 4.6.1 Visual photometry......Page 134 4.6.2 Solar System photometry......Page 136 4.6.3 Application to Pluto......Page 142 4.6.4 Photometry of galactic nebulae......Page 145 4.6.5 Photometry of galaxies......Page 151 4.7 Photopolarimetry......Page 156 4.7.1 Q, U variations in Algol binaries......Page 159 4.7.2 Photopolarimetry of asteroids......Page 163 4.7.3 Microwave polarimetry......Page 166 4.8 Bibliographical notes......Page 169 References......Page 175 5.1 Overview of basic instrumentation......Page 179 5.2.1 Detective processes......Page 188 5.2.2 Detector characteristics......Page 193 5.2.3 Photomultiplier tubes......Page 195 5.2.4 Areal detectors and enhancers......Page 197 5.2.5 Charge coupled devices (CCDs)......Page 200 5.2.6 Noise in photometry......Page 206 5.3.1 Analogue method......Page 210 5.3.2 Photon pulse counting......Page 214 5.4 Bibliographical notes......Page 218 References......Page 220 6.1 The standard stars experiment......Page 222 6.1.1 Parameter determinacy and set size: a simple case......Page 237 6.2 Differential photometry......Page 239 6.2.1 Typical photometric comparison: an example......Page 247 6.3.1 Operational points......Page 249 6.3.2 Example of CCD-based stellar photometry......Page 253 6.4 Light curves of variable stars......Page 255 6.4.1 Estimation of times of stationary light......Page 256 6.5 Bibliographical notes......Page 260 References......Page 263 7.1 Light curve analysis: general outline......Page 265 7.2 Eclipsing binaries: basic facts......Page 267 7.3 Hand solution of light curves......Page 275 7.4 Computer-based analysis......Page 280 7.5 Bibliographical notes......Page 290 References......Page 294 8.1.1 The O – C method......Page 297 8.2 Complexities in O – C diagrams......Page 302 8.3 Period changes: observational aspects......Page 306 8.3.2 Period changes in eclipsing binaries......Page 307 8.4.1 Angular momentum in single and binary stars......Page 316 8.4.2 Angular momentum evolution of cool binaries......Page 317 8.4.3 Angular momentum evolution of massive binaries......Page 318 8.5 Statistical data on Algol binaries......Page 319 8.6 Bibliographical notes......Page 321 References......Page 325 9.1 Coordinate transformation......Page 328 9.2 Orbital eccentricity......Page 330 9.3 Proximity effects......Page 334 9.4 The 16-parameter curve fitter......Page 338 9.5 Frequency domain analysis......Page 343 9.6 Narrowband photometry of binaries......Page 345 9.7 Bibliographical notes......Page 353 References......Page 356 10.1 Introductory background......Page 359 10.2 The photometric effects of starspots......Page 362 10.3.1 Curve fitting......Page 366 10.3.2 Spot temperatures......Page 374 10.4 Starspots in binary systems......Page 376 10.5 Analysis of light curves of RS CVn-like stars......Page 379 10.6 Bibliographical notes......Page 388 References......Page 391 11.1 Introductory background......Page 393 11.2 The Baade–Wesselink procedure......Page 401 11.3 Six-colour data on classical cepheids......Page 406 11.3.1 Application to δ Cep and η Aql......Page 409 11.3.2 Discussion of results......Page 415 11.4 Pulsational radii......Page 418 11.5 Bibliographical notes......Page 424 References......Page 427 Appendix......Page 429 Author index......Page 431 Subject index......Page 439 "Completely updated, this Second Edition gives a broad review of astronomical photometry to provide and understanding of astrophysics from a data-based perspective. It explains the underlying principles of the instruments used, and the applications and inferences derived from measurements. Each chapters has been fully revised to account for the latest developments including the uses of CCDs."--Jacket