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X- and Gamma-Ray Astronomy. International Astronomical Union Symposium No. 55
Planet. Space. Sci. 1974, Vol. 22, p, 347.
Pcrgctmon Psss.
Printed in Northern Ireland
BOOK REVIEW
H. BRADTand R. GIACC~NI (Editors): X- wad Gamma-Ray Astronomy. International Astronomical Union S’osium No. 55. Reidel, Dordrecht, Holland. 1973. x + 323. Dfl. 68 (Hardbound edition Dfl. 95.-). LESSthan a dozen years ago it was still a matter of debate whether the subject of X-rayastronomywouldcome to birth in the foreseeable future and for gamma rays the situation was still uncertain even more recently. Today high energy astronomy bids fair to rival its sister branches as a glance at recent issues of Astrophysical Journal or Nature makes evident. Aheady the I.A.U. has held two very important, even exciting symposia on the subject, the first in Rome in 1969 and the second in Madrid in May 1972. It is the papers for the latter which are contained in this volume, and as the conference was well organised with very good reviews on both observational and theoretical work, access to the book is mandatory for anyone with a serious interest in the subject. The conference occurred at a time when the 6rst satellite devoted to X-ray Astronomy Uhuru had already doubled the number of known sources, though it was too early to take account of the fbst orbiting systems of reflecting cosmic X-ray telescopes in the satellite Copernicus. Undoubtedly the most exciting aspect of the subject, well brought out in this report, is the great role of gravitational energy conversion in the generation of the surprisingly large X-ray fluxes from objects in our galaxy. Super-nova remnants as sources are also discussed as are extragalactic systems and the data and models for the diffuse background. Certainly, at present, this is the best source book on the subject but X-ray astronomy is advancing so rapidly that it is to be hoped the I.A.U. will soon hold another symposium and follow it with an equally good compendium. R. L. F. Bon,
341
Pcrgctmon Psss.
Printed in Northern Ireland
BOOK REVIEW
H. BRADTand R. GIACC~NI (Editors): X- wad Gamma-Ray Astronomy. International Astronomical Union S’osium No. 55. Reidel, Dordrecht, Holland. 1973. x + 323. Dfl. 68 (Hardbound edition Dfl. 95.-). LESSthan a dozen years ago it was still a matter of debate whether the subject of X-rayastronomywouldcome to birth in the foreseeable future and for gamma rays the situation was still uncertain even more recently. Today high energy astronomy bids fair to rival its sister branches as a glance at recent issues of Astrophysical Journal or Nature makes evident. Aheady the I.A.U. has held two very important, even exciting symposia on the subject, the first in Rome in 1969 and the second in Madrid in May 1972. It is the papers for the latter which are contained in this volume, and as the conference was well organised with very good reviews on both observational and theoretical work, access to the book is mandatory for anyone with a serious interest in the subject. The conference occurred at a time when the 6rst satellite devoted to X-ray Astronomy Uhuru had already doubled the number of known sources, though it was too early to take account of the fbst orbiting systems of reflecting cosmic X-ray telescopes in the satellite Copernicus. Undoubtedly the most exciting aspect of the subject, well brought out in this report, is the great role of gravitational energy conversion in the generation of the surprisingly large X-ray fluxes from objects in our galaxy. Super-nova remnants as sources are also discussed as are extragalactic systems and the data and models for the diffuse background. Certainly, at present, this is the best source book on the subject but X-ray astronomy is advancing so rapidly that it is to be hoped the I.A.U. will soon hold another symposium and follow it with an equally good compendium. R. L. F. Bon,
341