tailieunhanh - Understanding Variable Stars

Variable stars are those that change brightness. Their variability may be due to geometric processes such as rotation, or eclipse by a companion star, or physical processes such as vibration, flares, or cataclysmic explosions. In each case, variable stars provide unique information about the properties of stars, and the processes that go on within them. This book provides a concise overview of variable stars, including a historical perspective, an introduction to stars in general, the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars, and a description of the main types of variable stars. It ends with short reflections about the connection. | Understanding variable Stars Understanding Variable Stars Variable stars are those that change brightness. Their variability may be due to geometric processes such as rotation or eclipse by a companion star or physical processes such as vibration flares or cataclysmic explosions. In each case variable stars provide unique information about the properties of stars and the processes that go on within them. This book provides a concise overview of variable stars including a historical perspective an introduction to stars in general the techniques for discovering and studying variable stars and a description of the main types of variable stars. It ends with short reflections about the connection between the study of variable stars and research education amateur astronomy and public interest in astronomy. This book is intended for anyone with some background knowledge of astronomy but is especially suitable for undergraduate students and experienced amateur astronomers who can contribute to our understanding of these important stars. John R. P ercy is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto based at the University of Toronto in Mississauga UTM . His research interests include variable stars and stellar evolution and he has published over 200 research papers in these fields. He is also active in science education especially astronomy at all levels throughout the world. His education interests and experiences include teaching development at the university level development of astronomy curriculum for Ontario schools development of resources for educators pre-service and in-service teacher education lifelong learning public science literacy the roles of science centres and planetariums the role of skilled amateurs in research and education high school and undergraduate student research projects international astronomy education and development and multicultural astronomy. He is Director of the undergraduate Science Education program and the