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Astronomy and astrophysics abstracts
Planet. SpaceSci. Vol37, No. 9, p. 1155, 1989 Pergamon Press plc. Printed inGreatBritain.
BOOK REVIEWS Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstracts (Vol. 45, Part l), edited by U. ESSER,H. HEFELE,I. HEINRICH,W. HOFMANN, D. KRAHN, V. R. MATAS, L. D. SCHMADELand G. ZECH. Springer, Berlin (1988). x+ 1259 pp. This is the latest addition to A.A.A. which is published twice yearly. The standard of the book production is superb and astronomers are fortunate to have such a useful research aid. The present volume records the abstracts of 11,559 papers as well as having author, subject and object indices. The fields covered are best indicated by the contents. The main
Classical Novae edited by M. F. BODE and A. EVANS. John Wiley, New York (1989). 341 pp. E70. This book contains a series of reviews relating to the study of Classical Novae. The editors have assembled contributions from thirteen authors based at various research institutions around the world, all of whom are acknowledged experts in their fields. Their aim, as stated in the preface, was to produce a reference work which would be a modern equivalent of, and complement to, “The Galactic Novae” by Payne-Gaposchkin. The present work will indeed be an invaluable reference which is both a comprehensive and upto-date guide to the field as well as being quite readable. Individual chapters take the reader through different observational and theoretical aspects of classical novae beginning with an overview of their properties. This leads on to a discussion of mass transfer in cataclysmic binaries and descriptions of the thermonuclear processes occurring in novae o@bursts. A discussion of the evolution of novae from the point of view of optical observations is then presented followed by two chapters concerning Nova DQ Her 1934. These chapters take this particular outburst as a uniquely well studied example of the phenomenon and describe observations of the eruption and the subsequent history of DQ Her as well as detailed models for the emission seen. The next four chapters deal with observations of novae in other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, namely the radio, infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray wavebands. Each of these chapters brings the reader right up to date with recent
1155
divisions are : Periodicals, Proceedings, Books, Activities ; Applied Mathematics, Physics ; Astronomical Instruments and Techniques ; Positional Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics ; Space Research ; Theoretical Astrophysics ; Sun ; Earth ; Planetary System ; Stars ; Interstellar Matter, Nebulae; Radio Sources, X-ray Sources, Cosmic Rays; Stellar Systems, Galaxy, Extragalactic Objects, Cosmology. Any person interested in astronomy/astrophysics should have it available on their shelf or at least in their library. K. L. BELL
ground-based and satellite observations and also looks ahead to the prospects for increasing our understanding as a result of future instrumentation and techniques. The penultimate chapter discusses the relationship of classical novae to other eruptive variables and clearly describes the properties which have led to the numerous classifications (such as UX UMa, Z Cam, SU UMa and U Gem stars) within the scheme of cataclysmic variables. Comments are also made regarding “unifying schemes” for these nova-like objects; the evolution of other, possibly related, objects (such as detached close low mass binaries) and the ultimate fate of cataclysmic variables. The final chapter of the book is one which is extremely valuable in its own right. The editors have compiled a catalogue of 201 Galactic classical novae containing coordinates, date of outburst, maximum and minimum apparent magnitudes, classification of speed of decline and exhaustive references to original observations using radio, i.r., optical, u.v., X-ray and y-ray data. It also includes a photographic atlas of finding charts for the majority of these objects. The book is well illustrated with line drawings and graphs where necessary and each chapter provides plenty of references to satisfy any reader requiring more detailed information. An object index, with alternate name designations, is also included to facilitate finding notes on one’s favourite sources. However, with a price of E70 for 341 pp., I feel it is unlikely that many people will buy a personal copy despite the excellent nature of the book. A. J. NORTON
BOOK REVIEWS Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstracts (Vol. 45, Part l), edited by U. ESSER,H. HEFELE,I. HEINRICH,W. HOFMANN, D. KRAHN, V. R. MATAS, L. D. SCHMADELand G. ZECH. Springer, Berlin (1988). x+ 1259 pp. This is the latest addition to A.A.A. which is published twice yearly. The standard of the book production is superb and astronomers are fortunate to have such a useful research aid. The present volume records the abstracts of 11,559 papers as well as having author, subject and object indices. The fields covered are best indicated by the contents. The main
Classical Novae edited by M. F. BODE and A. EVANS. John Wiley, New York (1989). 341 pp. E70. This book contains a series of reviews relating to the study of Classical Novae. The editors have assembled contributions from thirteen authors based at various research institutions around the world, all of whom are acknowledged experts in their fields. Their aim, as stated in the preface, was to produce a reference work which would be a modern equivalent of, and complement to, “The Galactic Novae” by Payne-Gaposchkin. The present work will indeed be an invaluable reference which is both a comprehensive and upto-date guide to the field as well as being quite readable. Individual chapters take the reader through different observational and theoretical aspects of classical novae beginning with an overview of their properties. This leads on to a discussion of mass transfer in cataclysmic binaries and descriptions of the thermonuclear processes occurring in novae o@bursts. A discussion of the evolution of novae from the point of view of optical observations is then presented followed by two chapters concerning Nova DQ Her 1934. These chapters take this particular outburst as a uniquely well studied example of the phenomenon and describe observations of the eruption and the subsequent history of DQ Her as well as detailed models for the emission seen. The next four chapters deal with observations of novae in other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, namely the radio, infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray wavebands. Each of these chapters brings the reader right up to date with recent
1155
divisions are : Periodicals, Proceedings, Books, Activities ; Applied Mathematics, Physics ; Astronomical Instruments and Techniques ; Positional Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics ; Space Research ; Theoretical Astrophysics ; Sun ; Earth ; Planetary System ; Stars ; Interstellar Matter, Nebulae; Radio Sources, X-ray Sources, Cosmic Rays; Stellar Systems, Galaxy, Extragalactic Objects, Cosmology. Any person interested in astronomy/astrophysics should have it available on their shelf or at least in their library. K. L. BELL
ground-based and satellite observations and also looks ahead to the prospects for increasing our understanding as a result of future instrumentation and techniques. The penultimate chapter discusses the relationship of classical novae to other eruptive variables and clearly describes the properties which have led to the numerous classifications (such as UX UMa, Z Cam, SU UMa and U Gem stars) within the scheme of cataclysmic variables. Comments are also made regarding “unifying schemes” for these nova-like objects; the evolution of other, possibly related, objects (such as detached close low mass binaries) and the ultimate fate of cataclysmic variables. The final chapter of the book is one which is extremely valuable in its own right. The editors have compiled a catalogue of 201 Galactic classical novae containing coordinates, date of outburst, maximum and minimum apparent magnitudes, classification of speed of decline and exhaustive references to original observations using radio, i.r., optical, u.v., X-ray and y-ray data. It also includes a photographic atlas of finding charts for the majority of these objects. The book is well illustrated with line drawings and graphs where necessary and each chapter provides plenty of references to satisfy any reader requiring more detailed information. An object index, with alternate name designations, is also included to facilitate finding notes on one’s favourite sources. However, with a price of E70 for 341 pp., I feel it is unlikely that many people will buy a personal copy despite the excellent nature of the book. A. J. NORTON