Compact Stellar X-Ray Sources

X-ray astronomy is the prime available window on astrophysical compact objects: black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs. In the last ten years new observational opportunities have led to an explosion of knowledge in this field. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the astrophysics of compact objects that emit X-rays. Sixteen chapters written by the foremost experts in the field cover the observations and the astrophysical interpretation of these objects. Topics covered include binary systems, gamma ray burst sources, soft gamma ray repeaters, anomalous X-ray pulsars, super-soft sources, and enigmatic fast X-ray transients. Further chapters are dedicated to isolated neutron stars and the X-ray source populations of globular clusters. The properties of X-ray binaries are discussed in depth in chapters on quasi-periodic oscillations and related aperiodic X-ray variability, X-ray bursts, black holes, and relativistic jets. This is a valuable reference for both graduate students and active researchers. • Sixteen specially written chapters by the world's foremost authorities • Rapidly progressing field - new observing opportunities over the last decade have resulted in many important new results • Key issues include gamma ray burst sources and repeaters, anomalous X-ray pulsars, super-soft sources, and enigmatic fast X-ray transientsFrom reviews of X-ray Binaries, edited by Walter H. G. Lewin, Jan van Paradijs and Edward P. J. van den Heuvel: '... packed with information, and so beautifully presented by CUP ... a must for your bookshelf and every astronomical library. I have already made this book required reading for my graduate students.' Phil Charles, The Observatory'... a very good, detailed and comprehensive written review on X-ray binaries.' Reviews of Astronomical Tools