"After more than half a century since their unexpected discovery and identification as neutron stars, the observation and understanding of pulsars touches upon many areas of astronomy and astrophysics. The literature on pulsars is vast and the observational techniques used now cover the whole of the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-rays. Now in its fifth edition, this volume has been reorganised and features new material throughout. It provides an introduction in historical and physical terms to the many aspects of neutron stars, including condensed matter, physics of the magnetosphere, supernovae and the development of the pulsar population, propagation in the interstellar medium, binary stars, gravitation and general relativity. The current development of a new generation of powerful radio telescopes, designed with pulsar research in mind, makes this survey and guide essential reading for a growing body of students and astronomers"-- Provided by publisher.
Contents
The discoveries -- Telescope techniques, radio to TeV -- Receiver techniques and data analysis -- Surveys and population -- Pulsar timing -- Timing and astrometry of binary pulsars -- The distance of the pulsars -- Pulse profiles -- The variability of pulsar emission -- Millisecond pulsars -- Magnetars -- Thermal x-rays from neutron stars -- Neutron stars -- Radius and mass -- Glitches, timing noise, Nudot switching -- Location and geometry of emitters -- The emission mechanisms -- Supernovae and their remnants; pulsar wind nebulae -- Interstellar scintillation and scattering -- The interstellar magnetic field -- Prospects.