Supernovae

by Paul Murdin , Lesley Murdin

• ISBN13: 9780521189798
• ISBN10: 0521189799
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-04-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Supernovae are gigantic stellar explosions. The effects of these rare events pervade astronomy, creating and spreading the chemical elements, triggering the formation of new stars, creating black holes and pulsars. Originally published in 1978 and first published by Cambridge as this revised edition in 1985, is the story of supernovae. It captures the flavour of ancient astronomy and lays out the accidents, coincidences, false leads and flashes of inspiration that followed as astronomers grasped the implications behind the rare appearance of supernovae. Two supernovae, seen in 1572 and 1604, made scientists aware that the stars changed and could be studied like everything else. Eventually, modern astronomers came to link supernovae with black holes, pulsars, and even with the creation of the chemical elements. The whole entertaining story is told clearly, in non-technical language, showing the triumph of human imagination as we discovered our place in the universe.

Table of Contents

Preface

Supernovae in space and time

Guest stars

The Renaissance supernovae

Supernovae in other galaxies

The Crab and its mysteries

Discovering pulsars

Supernova remnants

Types of supernovae

The making of a neutron star

Supernovae in binary stars

Creation of the elements

Cosmic rays

Black holes from supernovae

Final chapter

Booklist

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.