The study of stars and their spectra is central to an understanding of classical and modern astronomy. The principal tool for investigating the nature of stars is to observe and interpret their spectra. In this lucid book, James Kaler clearly explains the alphabet of stellar astronomy - from the cool M stars to hot O stars - and tells the story of the evolution of stars and their place in the Universe. Before embarking on a fascinating voyage of cosmic discovery, we are introduced to the fundamental properties of stars, and how they can be categorised. Next, the structure of atoms and the formation of spectra is discussed, as a prelude to a full description of the spectral classification itself. The heart of the book examines each star type in turn and explores their spectra in detail. Notable discoveries and features related to each class sustain the story. There is also a review of unusual stars that cannot easily be classified. Finally, the book closes with a skilful integration of all the data - tracing the paths of birth, life and death of stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This book is based on a widely acclaimed series of articles on stellar astronomy which appeared in the magazine Sky and Telescope. It provides an invaluable introduction for observers and students.
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Review
'… a thorough and up-to-date survey of their spectral and photometric properties, structure and evolution, and how we find out about all this.' Sky and Telescope
'… well written and makes interesting reading … will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in stellar properties.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association
'… a popular and well written account of our present day knowledge of stellar astronomy … strongly recommended … a stimulating and informative read.' Observatory
'This is one of Kaler's best books (the other one being The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Stars). After a brief introduction to quantum physics and the laws governing emission and absorption spectra, plus the history of the spectral classification system, the author addresses each spectral class. …One of Kaler's fortes is the clear explanation of astrophysics in plain English. If you have an interest in stellar spectroscopy, definitely get this book. You will get you money's worth, because you will read it at least twice.' American Association of Variable Star Observers Bookstore
'… well written and makes interesting reading … will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in stellar properties.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association
'… a popular and well written account of our present day knowledge of stellar astronomy … strongly recommended … a stimulating and informative read.' Observatory
'This is one of Kaler's best books (the other one being The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Stars). After a brief introduction to quantum physics and the laws governing emission and absorption spectra, plus the history of the spectral classification system, the author addresses each spectral class. …One of Kaler's fortes is the clear explanation of astrophysics in plain English. If you have an interest in stellar spectroscopy, definitely get this book. You will get you money's worth, because you will read it at least twice.' American Association of Variable Star Observers Bookstore
Book Description
James Kaler explains the alphabet of stellar astronomy - from the cool M stars to hot O stars - and tells the story of their evolution and their place in the Universe. An invaluable introduction for observers and students.
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First Sentence
Anyone who studies astronomy must soon encounter the ubiquitous and seemingly mystical series of letters that divides the stars into their seven groups, OBAFGKM. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Anyone who studies astronomy must soon encounter the ubiquitous and seemingly mystical series of letters that divides the stars into their seven groups, OBAFGKM. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By D. Hawkes
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
As an amateur astrophotogragher looking for additional pursuits related to astronomy I have been toying with the idea of a buying a diffraction grating to attempt some very basic spectroscopy of the stars. Looking into this subject I came across this book by Kaler which appears to be well received and offered at a good price for a substantive hard back.
Once started I could not put this book down and read it word for word over a couple of weeks. It is beautifully descriptive, written in a refreshingly warm style in contrast to so many text books that though detailed mathematically are very cold and feel almost unattached to their subject matter.
After a general introduction Kaler offers a description of how observational astronomy can be used to derive the physical properties of stars and then gives a superb account of the atomic processes that give rise to continuous, emission and absorption spectra and why and when these spectra can appear in combination.
After a description of prismatic and diffraction based hardware the book starts in earnest to explain the spectral sequence, initially giving an extensive account of the history and different systems that have emerged over time and how these have been distilled down to today's system OBAFGKMLT.
The HR diagram and the MK system of luminosity is described in detail and then the book starts in earnest by allocating an individual chapter to each star type starting at M and making its way through 300 odd pages to type O. Each chapter is absolutely engrossing due the authors passionate style of writing.
Beyond type O the author continues in the same vein to describe planetary nebulas, protoplanery systems, white dwarfs, neutron stars and many other exotic types. Nova and supernova are described in detail and the book concludes with 40 pages or so dedicated to the subject of the live cycle of different mass stars which beautifully draws on all the details of the previous chapters to give the best description of the life of a star I have read.
This book has essentially no equations but is clearly written by someone who is profoundly knowledgeable and besotted by the stars.
In summary a wonderfully detailed yet ever so readable book that I highly recommend.
Once started I could not put this book down and read it word for word over a couple of weeks. It is beautifully descriptive, written in a refreshingly warm style in contrast to so many text books that though detailed mathematically are very cold and feel almost unattached to their subject matter.
After a general introduction Kaler offers a description of how observational astronomy can be used to derive the physical properties of stars and then gives a superb account of the atomic processes that give rise to continuous, emission and absorption spectra and why and when these spectra can appear in combination.
After a description of prismatic and diffraction based hardware the book starts in earnest to explain the spectral sequence, initially giving an extensive account of the history and different systems that have emerged over time and how these have been distilled down to today's system OBAFGKMLT.
The HR diagram and the MK system of luminosity is described in detail and then the book starts in earnest by allocating an individual chapter to each star type starting at M and making its way through 300 odd pages to type O. Each chapter is absolutely engrossing due the authors passionate style of writing.
Beyond type O the author continues in the same vein to describe planetary nebulas, protoplanery systems, white dwarfs, neutron stars and many other exotic types. Nova and supernova are described in detail and the book concludes with 40 pages or so dedicated to the subject of the live cycle of different mass stars which beautifully draws on all the details of the previous chapters to give the best description of the life of a star I have read.
This book has essentially no equations but is clearly written by someone who is profoundly knowledgeable and besotted by the stars.
In summary a wonderfully detailed yet ever so readable book that I highly recommend.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent introduction to the spectral sequence.
15 Mar 2000
By Susana Schneider
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
I have found this book an excellent introduction to the study of stars and in my opinion it can be addressed to a very wide audience including non-expert. The reasons are the following: 1-) It keeps a very basic level in its explanations and throughout the whole book. 2)- It starts of with basic nevertheless fundamental definitions to the understanding of the development of the subject. 3)-It focuses on CONCEPTS which I find essencial in any first encounter with a new subject specially in scientific fields. This is unfortunatelly rarely found within the literature in the field of Physics. 4)- It provides plenny examples to ilustrate the explanations provided and then compares them with available experimental observations. 5)- It is one of the few books which has been able to succesfully avoid the overwhelming ussage of formulae while still addressing the subject in full extent at its introductory level. This is very encouraging for the beguiner as well as for the general audience since it brings closer a field which it has always been basicaly restricted to the expert, thus hindering the spread of scientific knowledge.
I would definetely make use of it in an introductory stellar course, as a base for an undergraduate level course inside or out the field of physics.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book with terribly reproduced graphic images - buy the earlier edition
3 Nov 2006
By JAMES R. MCCANN
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
As others have indicated in their reviews, this is an excellent book. I do have a complaint with
the paperback reissue however - the images are very poorly reproduced from the earlier edition. I
have seen the earlier edition where the images are clear, and unfortunately, many of the reproductions of spectra
in the later edition are so poor that it is impossible to see the features discussed in the text.
The paperback edition is an embarassment to the Cambridge University Press which usually produces very high
quality books. If you can, you should obtain the earlier edition instead of purchasing the reissued
paperback edition.
the paperback reissue however - the images are very poorly reproduced from the earlier edition. I
have seen the earlier edition where the images are clear, and unfortunately, many of the reproductions of spectra
in the later edition are so poor that it is impossible to see the features discussed in the text.
The paperback edition is an embarassment to the Cambridge University Press which usually produces very high
quality books. If you can, you should obtain the earlier edition instead of purchasing the reissued
paperback edition.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superbly done
26 May 2000
By Rodvik
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
As an amateur astronomer I simply cannot beleive I have gone so long enjoying astronomy without coming to grips with spectra. While the concepts are generally known this book takes the general reader step by step through probably the most important pillar of modern astronomy, analyses of light.
The book requires no advanced mathematics (if it had I wouldnt have understood it) and sticks to good solid concepts.
While it is accessible to the general reader Kaler pulls no punches even when you wish he had, insisting on parsecs instead of lightyears for example. However the joy of him pulling no punches is you are left with a good grounding with which to move onto other works or even do some spectroscopy yourself as I did.
I would commend other astronomy enthusiasts or lovers of space science to get to grips with how we determine the make up of stars and other objects, this is the book to do it.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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