Radio pulsars are rapidly rotating highly magnetized neutron stars. Studies of these fascinating objects have provided applications in solid-state physics, general relativity, galactic astronomy, astrometry, planetary physics and even cosmology. Most of these applications and much of what we know about neutron stars are derived from single-dish radio observations using state-of-the-art receivers and data acquisition systems. This comprehensive 2004 book is a unique resource that brings together the key observational techniques, background information and a review of results, including the discovery of a double pulsar system. Useful software tools are provided which can be used to analyse example data, made available on a related website. This work will be of great value not only to graduate students but also to researchers wishing to carry out and interpret a wide variety of radio pulsar observations.
• Concise, up-to-date treatment of pulsar research • Provides software tools used by astronomers worldwide • Constantly updated related website provides access to example data and latest catalogue information
Contents
Introduction; 1. Basic pulsar properties; 2. Pulsars as physical tools; 3. Theoretical background; 4. Instrumentation for pulsar observations; 5. Observing known pulsars; 6. Finding new pulsars; 7. Pulsar timing; 8. Beyond single radio dishes; Appendix.
Review
Review of the hardback: 'This is a book which is well-timed and well-written and deserves to be read by a wider audience than that at which it is aimed.' The Observatory
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