Unlocking the Secrets of White Dwarf Stars
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Beschreibung
White dwarfs, each containing about as much mass as our Sun but packed into a volume about the size of Earth, are the endpoints of evolution for most stars. Thousands of these faint objects have now been discovered, though only a century ago only three were known. They are among the most common stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, and they have become important tools in understanding the universe. Yet a century ago only three white dwarfs were known.
The existence of these stars completely baffled the scientists of the day, and solving the mysteries of these strange objects required revolutionary advances in science and technology, including the development of quantum physics, the construction and utilization of large telescopes, the invention of the digital computer, and the ability to make astronomical observations from space.
This book tells the story of the growth in our understanding of white dwarf stars, set within the context of the relevant scientificand technological advances. Part popular science, part historical narrative, this book is authored by one of the astrophysicists who participated directly in uncovering some of the secrets of white dwarf stars.
White dwarfs, each containing about as much mass as our Sun but packed into a volume about the size of Earth, are the endpoints of evolution for most stars. Thousands of these faint objects have now been discovered, though only a century ago only three were known. They are among the most common stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, and they have become important tools in understanding the universe. Yet a century ago only three white dwarfs were known.
The existence of these stars completely baffled the scientists of the day, and solving the mysteries of these strange objects required revolutionary advances in science and technology, including the development of quantum physics, the construction and utilization of large telescopes, the invention of the digital computer, and the ability to make astronomical observations from space.
This book tells the story of the growth in our understanding of white dwarf stars, set within the context of the relevant scientificand technological advances. Part popular science, part historical narrative, this book is authored by one of the astrophysicists who participated directly in uncovering some of the secrets of white dwarf stars.
Traces the development of our scientific understanding of white dwarf stars from their discovery to their use as a tool to learn more about the universe Places the advances in our understanding of white dwarfs within the context of the revolutionary advances in science during the twentieth century Emphasizes the importance of advances in technology—especially the development of digital computing and the ability to make astronomical observations from space—in achieving our current understanding of these stars—especially the development of digital computing and the ability to make astronomical observations from space—in achieving our current understanding of these stars
Autor*in
Hugh M. Van Horn
Themen in »Unlocking the Secrets of White Dwarf Stars«
Dense Mass Stars Discovery of white dwarf Sirius companion Dwarf Star Spectra History of White Dwarf Research Mass Transfer in Close Binary Stars Measuring Stellar Oscillations Sirius B Star Evolution Star Life Late Stages
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“This volume is really a history of the development of our understanding of these enigmatic objects for the lay reader … . Hugh van Horn has produced a very interesting and readable volume by focussing on key individuals in white-dwarf research and the contributions they have made. … I found the book both enjoyable and enlightening. I would certainly recommend it to all researchers in the field.” (Martin Barstow, The Observatory, April, 2016)
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