de Grijs An Introduction to Distance Measurement in Astronomy

1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-1-119-97818-3
Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 328 Seiten, E-Book

Distance determination is an essential technique in astronomy, andis briefly covered in most textbooks on astrophysics and cosmology.It is rarely covered as a coherent topic in its own right. When itis discussed the approach is frequently very dry, splitting theteaching into, for example, stars, galaxies and cosmologies, and asa consequence, books lack depth and are rarely comprehensive.
Adopting a unique and engaging approach to the subject AnIntroduction to distance Measurement in Astronomy will take thereader on a journey from the solar neighbourhood to the edge of theUniverse, discussing the range of distance measurements methods onthe way. The book will focus on the physical processesdiscussing properties that underlie each method, rather than justpresenting a collection of techniques.
As well as providing the most compressive account of distancemeasurements to date, the book will use the common theme ofdistance measurement to impart basic concepts relevant to a widevariety of areas in astronomy/astrophysics.
The book will provide an updated account of the progress made ina large number of subfields in astrophysics, leading to improveddistance estimates particularly focusing on the underlyingphysics. Additionally it will illustrate the pitfalls inthese areas and discuss the impact of the remaining uncertaintiesin the complete understanding of the Universes at large. As aresult the book will not only provide a comprehensive study ofdistance measurement, but also include many recent advances inastrophysics.

Autoren/Hrsg.

de Grijs, Richard

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface
1 The importance of astrophysical distance measurements
1.1 The distance to the Galactic Centre . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 The distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud . . . . . . . .
1.3 Benchmarks beyond the Magellanic Clouds: the 3D Universe on large(r) scales
Bibliography . . . . . . . .
2 The solar neighbourhood
2.1 Geometric parallax measurements . . . . . . . .
2.2 Dynamical parallax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3 Spectroscopic and photometric parallaxes . . . . . . . . . . .
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 From the MilkyWay to the Local Group
3.1 Basic stellar physics as the key to understanding distance measurements to
Local Group galaxies . . . . . . .
3.2 Open and globular cluster Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams . . . . .
3.3 Giants and supergiants as standard candles . . . . . . .
3.4 White-dwarf sequences . . . . . . . . . .
3.5 Period-density relations . . . . . . . . .
3.6 Novae as standard candles . . . . . . . .
3.7 Geometric methods . . . . . . . . .
3.8 Pulsars: distance measurements outside the 'classical' wavelength range . . .
Bibliography . . . . . . . . .
4 Reaching Virgo cluster distances and beyond
4.1 The Hubble Space Telescope Key Project . . . .
4.2 Surface-brightness fluctuations . . . . . . . .
4.3 The globular cluster luminosity function . . . . . .
4.4 The planetary nebulae luminosity function . . . . . . .
4.5 The Tully-Fisher relation . . . . . . . .
4.6 Distance indicators specific to elliptical galaxies . . . . . .
4.7 The colour-magnitude relation . . . . . . . .
4.8 HII regions as distance indicators? . . . . . . . .
Bibliography . . . . . . . .
5 From nearby galaxy clusters to cosmological distances
5.1 Cosmological redshifts . . . . . . . . .
5.2 Supernovae as beacons . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.3 Indirect techniques to measure H0 . . . . . . . . .
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Systematic uncertainties and common pitfalls
6.1 Common biases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2 High versus low values of the Hubble constant:
science or philosophy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . .
7 Promises and prospects
7.1 The way forward: where are significant gains achievable? . . . . . . .
7.2 The Pleiades distance controversy . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 X-ray scattering haloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.4 Standard sirens: listening to gravitational waves . . . . . . . .
7.5 Three-dimensional mapping of redshifted neutral hydrogen . . . . . . . .
7.6 The present-day distance ladder . . . . . . . . . . .
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glossary
Figure credits
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Richard de Grijs, Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Peking University, China