This series offers concise, self-contained handbooks tailored for professional astronomers and advanced students. Each volume delves into the fundamental principles of observing in specific spectral regions or utilizing particular instruments and techniques. The goal is to foster a comprehensive understanding of astronomical disciplines and promote a modern, multi-wavelength approach to research. These guides serve as both an introduction and a handy reference for use at the telescope or in the office, proving valuable to graduate students, researchers, and keen amateurs alike.
Focusing on astronomical spectroscopy, this handbook serves as a practical guide for graduate students and researchers. It combines clear writing with thorough illustrations, making complex concepts accessible and aiding in the understanding of spectroscopic techniques and applications in astronomy.
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.