The Measurement of Starlight: Two Centuries of Astronomical Photometry

ISBN-13: 9780521403931 / Angielski / Twarda / 1996 / 526 str.

J. B. Heranshaw; J. B. Hearnshaw

Opis

Astronomical photometry is the science of measuring the brightness and colors of stars and other celestial objects. This authoritative volume traces the fascinating historical development of astronomical photometry from visual techniques at the time of William Herschel in the 1780s to the birth of photometry with charge-coupled devices in the 1970s. In this intriguing survey, the author shows how the advent of new technology has revolutionized the science of photometry at each stage of its development, and what dramatic advances have been achieved despite several major disasters--especially in the practice of photographic photometry. This book also clearly illustrates the critical relationship between the development of a science and the technology it uses.

Recenzje

' … Hearnshaw masterfully reviews the development of photometry … comprehensive account includes fine, critical comparisons of the instruments … the illustrations are impressive and add to the richness of the story … well-written and lively history … Everyone should relish the rich history of astronomical photometry and Hearnshaw's skill in presenting it.' Sky and Telescope

Spis treści

Preface; Acknowledgements; List of illustrations; 1. Early stellar magnitudes; 2. Visual estimates of stellar magnitudes and colour; 3. Visual photometry; 4. Photographic photometry, 1839–1922; 5. The origins of photoelectric photometry; 6. Photometry at longer wavelengths; 7. Photographic photometry from 1922; 8. Photometry and the birth of astrophysics; 9. Photoelectric photometry with the photomultiplier tube; 10. Photometry with electronic area detectors; Sources of illustrations; Index of names; Index of star names; Index of subjects.