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  3. Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers

Today's professional astronomers must be able to adapt to use telescopes and interpret data of all wavelengths. The Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers is designed to provide them with a series of concise, self-contained handbooks which cover the basic principles peculiar to observing in a particular spectral region, or to using a particular technique or type of instrument. The books can be used as an introduction to the subject, and as a handy reference - for use at the telescope, or in the office. They also promote an understanding of other disciplines in astronomy and a modern, multi-wavelength, multi-technique approach to research. Although aimed primarily at graduate students and researchers, many titles in the series will be of interest to keen amateurs and undergraduate students.

  • General Editors: Richard Ellis, California Institute of Technology, John Huchra, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Steve Kahn, Columbia University, New York, George Rieke, University of Arizona, Peter B. Stetson, Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, British Columbia

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10 results in Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers

Case Studies in Star Formation
  • A Molecular Astronomy Perspective
  • Duncan MacKay, Mark Thompson, James Urquhart
  • Published online:
    11 April 2023
    Print publication:
    13 April 2023
  • Case Studies in Star Formation offers an overview of our current observational and theoretical understanding in the molecular astronomy of star formation. The book is divided into six sections: the first introduces an overview of star formation and the essential language, concepts and tools specific to molecular astronomy studies. Each subsequent section focuses on individual sources, beginning with a description of large-scale surveys. The volume covers low- and high mass star formation, ionization and photodissociation regions, and concludes with the extragalactic perspective. Conventional textbooks begin with principles, ending with a few convenient examples. Through copious examples, Case Studies reflects the reality of research, which requires the creative matching of ongoing observations to theory and vice-versa, often raising as many questions as answers. This supplementary study guide enables graduate students and early researchers to bridge the gap between textbooks and the wealth of research literature.

Practical Optical Interferometry
  • Imaging at Visible and Infrared Wavelengths
  • David F. Buscher
  • Foreword by Malcolm Longair
  • Published online:
    05 August 2015
    Print publication:
    28 July 2015
  • Optical interferometry is a powerful technique to make images on angular scales hundreds of times smaller than is possible with the largest telescopes. This concise guide provides an introduction to the technique for graduate students and researchers who want to make interferometric observations and acts as a reference for technologists building new instruments. Starting from the principles of interference, the author covers the core concepts of interferometry, showing how the effects of the Earth's atmosphere can be overcome using closure phase, and the complete process of making an observation, from planning to image reconstruction. This rigorous approach emphasizes the use of rules-of-thumb for important parameters such as the signal-to-noise ratios, requirements for sampling the Fourier plane and predicting image quality. The handbook is supported by web resources, including the Python source code used to make many of the graphs, as well as an interferometry simulation framework, available at www.cambridge.org/9781107042179.

Observational Molecular Astronomy
  • Exploring the Universe Using Molecular Line Emissions
  • David A. Williams, Serena Viti
  • Published online:
    05 December 2013
    Print publication:
    25 November 2013
  • Molecular line emissions offer researchers exciting opportunities to learn about the evolutionary state of the Milky Way and distant galaxies. This text provides a detailed introduction to molecular astrophysics and an array of useful techniques for observing astronomical phenomena at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths. After discussing the theoretical underpinnings of molecular observation, the authors catalogue suitable molecular tracers for many types of astronomical regions in local and distant parts of the Universe, including cold gas reservoirs primed for the formation of new stars, regions of active star formation, giant photon-dominated regions and near active galactic nuclei. Further chapters demonstrate how to obtain useful astronomical information from raw telescope data while providing recommendations for appropriate observing strategies. Replete with maps, charts and references for further reading, this handbook will suit research astronomers and graduate students interested in broadening their skill to take advantage of the new facilities now coming online.

Introduction to Astronomical Spectroscopy
  • Immo Appenzeller
  • Published online:
    05 January 2013
    Print publication:
    17 December 2012
  • Spectroscopy is the principal tool used in astronomy to investigate the Universe beyond Earth's atmosphere. Through the analysis of electromagnetic radiation, spectrographs enable observers to assess the chemical composition, kinematics and local physical properties of distant stars, nebulae and galaxies. Thoroughly illustrated and clearly written, this handbook offers a practical and comprehensive guide to the different spectroscopic methods used in all branches of astronomy, at all wavelengths from radio to gamma-ray and from ground and space-borne instruments. After a historical overview of the field, the central chapters navigate the various types of hardware used in spectroscopy. In-depth descriptions of modern techniques and their benefits and drawbacks help you choose the most promising observation strategy. The handbook finishes by assessing new technologies and future prospects for deep-sky observation. This text is an ideal reference for today's graduate students and active researchers, as well as those designing or operating spectroscopic instruments.

Practical Statistics for Astronomers
  • 2nd edition
  • J. V. Wall, C. R. Jenkins
  • Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    26 April 2012
  • Astronomy needs statistical methods to interpret data, but statistics is a many-faceted subject that is difficult for non-specialists to access. This handbook helps astronomers analyze the complex data and models of modern astronomy. This second edition has been revised to feature many more examples using Monte Carlo simulations, and now also includes Bayesian inference, Bayes factors and Markov chain Monte Carlo integration. Chapters cover basic probability, correlation analysis, hypothesis testing, Bayesian modelling, time series analysis, luminosity functions and clustering. Exercises at the end of each chapter guide readers through the techniques and tests necessary for most observational investigations. The data tables, solutions to problems, and other resources are available online at www.cambridge.org/9780521732499. Bringing together the most relevant statistical and probabilistic techniques for use in observational astronomy, this handbook is a practical manual for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and professional astronomers.

Handbook of X-ray Astronomy
  • Edited by Keith Arnaud, Randall Smith, Aneta Siemiginowska
  • Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    29 September 2011
  • Modern x-ray data, available through online archives, are important for many astronomical topics. However, using these data requires specialized techniques and software. Written for graduate students, professional astronomers and researchers who want to start working in this field, this book is a practical guide to x-ray astronomy. The handbook begins with x-ray optics, basic detector physics and CCDs, before focussing on data analysis. It introduces the reduction and calibration of x-ray data, scientific analysis, archives, statistical issues and the particular problems of highly extended sources. The book describes the main hardware used in x-ray astronomy, emphasizing the implications for data analysis. The concepts behind common x-ray astronomy data analysis software are explained. The appendices present reference material often required during data analysis.

Introduction to Astronomical Photometry
  • 2nd edition
  • Edwin Budding, Osman Demircan
  • Published online:
    13 August 2009
    Print publication:
    26 April 2007
  • 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.

Handbook of CCD Astronomy
  • 2nd edition
  • Steve B. Howell
  • Published online:
    05 June 2012
    Print publication:
    02 March 2006
  • Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) are the state-of-the-art detector in many fields of observational science. Updated to include all of the latest developments in CCDs, this second edition of the Handbook of CCD Astronomy is a concise and accessible reference on all practical aspects of using CCDs. Starting with their electronic workings, it discusses their basic characteristics and then gives methods and examples of how to determine these values. While the book focuses on the use of CCDs in professional observational astronomy, advanced amateur astronomers, and researchers in physics, chemistry, medical imaging, and remote sensing will also find it very valuable. Tables of useful and hard-to-find data, key practical equations, and new exercises round off the book and ensure that it provides an ideal introduction to the practical use of CCDs for graduate students, and a handy reference for more experienced users.

Practical Statistics for Astronomers
  • J. V. Wall, C. R. Jenkins
  • Published online:
    02 September 2009
    Print publication:
    13 November 2003
  • Astronomy, like any experimental subject, needs statistical methods to interpret data reliably. This practical handbook presents the most relevant statistical and probabilistic machinery for use in observational astronomy. Classical parametric and non-parametric methods are covered, but there is a strong emphasis on Bayesian solutions and the importance of probability in experimental inference. Chapters cover basic probability, correlation analysis, hypothesis testing, Bayesian modelling, time series analysis, luminosity functions, and clustering. The book avoids the technical language of statistics in favour of demonstrating astronomical relevance and applicability. It contains many worked examples, and problems that make use of databases which are available on the Web. It is suitable for self-study at advanced undergraduate or graduate level, as a reference for professional astronomers, and as a textbook basis for courses in statistical methods in astronomy.

Handbook of Infrared Astronomy
  • I. S. Glass
  • Published online:
    01 October 2009
    Print publication:
    13 August 1999
  • Infrared astronomy has been revolutionised in the last few years by the advent of large, sensitive, infrared arrays, and the success of several infrared satellites. This handbook provides a clear, concise and accessible reference on all aspects of infrared astronomy. Throughout, the emphasis is on fundamental concepts, practical considerations and useful data. Starting with a review of the basic infrared emission mechanisms, we are shown how the earth's atmosphere affects and limits observations from ground-based telescopes. The important systematics of photometric accuracy are treated in detail. Spectroscopy - both stellar and otherwise - is explained, and illustrated with useful examples. An important chapter is devoted to dust, which plays such a central role. Finally, the technical background to infrared instrumentation is covered. This volume provides both an essential introduction for graduate students making infrared observations or reducing infrared data for the first time, and a convenient reference for more experienced researchers.