An Introduction to Distance Measurement in Astronomy

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An Introduction to Distance Measurement in Astronomy

ISBN-13: 9780470511800 See more

Author(s): Richard de Grijs

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eText:

ISBN-10 1118303083, ISBN-13 9781118303085

Print:

ISBN-10 047051180X, ISBN-13 9780470511800

Author(s): Richard de Grijs

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Description

Taking a unique approach the book presents a coherent and comprehensive account of distance measurements in astronomy, techniques and skills that are essential for a full and accurate understanding of the universe.

An Introduction to Distance Measurement in Astronomy, C1

Contents, vii

Preface, xi

1 The Importance of Astrophysical Distance Measurements, 1

1.1 The Distance to the Galactic Centre, 2

1.1.1 Early Determinations of R0, 3

1.1.2 Modern Results, 6

1.2 The Distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud, 11

1.3 Benchmarks Beyond the Magellanic Clouds: the 3D Universe on Large(r) Scales, 15

Bibliography, 22

2 The Solar Neighbourhood, 31

2.1 Geometric Parallax Measurements, 31

2.1.1 Trigonometric Parallax, 31

2.1.2 Astrometric Advances: Space-Based Missions and Interferometry, 33

2.1.3 Secular and Statistical Parallaxes: Moving Groups Method, 39

2.2 Dynamical Parallax, 42

2.2.1 Mass...Luminosity Relations, 46

2.3 Spectroscopic and Photometric Parallaxes, 50

Bibliography, 55

3 From the Milky Way to the Local Group, 63

3.1 Basic Stellar Physics as the Key to Understanding Distance Measurements to Local Group Galaxies, 63

3.1.1 Stellar Evolution Through the Hertzsprung...Russell Diagram, 63

3.1.2 From Two to Multiple Stellar Populations, 68

3.2 Open and Globular Cluster Hertzsprung...Russell Diagrams, 70

3.2.1 Main-Sequence and Subdwarf Fitting, 70

3.2.2 Red Clump Stars, 72

3.2.3 The (Zero-Age) Horizontal Branch Level, 74

3.3 Giants and Supergiants as Standard Candles, 76

3.3.1 The Tip of the Red Giant Branch, 76

3.3.2 The Red Giant Branch Bump, 78

3.3.3 Supergiants as Standard Candles, 80

3.4 White Dwarf Sequences, 83

3.5 Period...Density Relations, 84

3.5.1 The Baade...Wesselink Method, 85

3.5.2 Classical Cepheid Variables, 87

3.5.3 Mira Variables, 90

3.5.4 W Virginis and Other ‘Population II' Cepheids, 93

3.5.5 RR Lyrae Stars, 95

3.5.6 Dwarf and Anomalous Cepheids, 97

3.6 Novae as Standard Candles, 98

3.7 Geometric Methods, 100

3.7.1 Planetary Nebula Expansion Parallaxes, 101

3.7.2 Supernova Light Echoes, 102

3.7.3 Eclipsing Binary Stars, 106

3.7.4 Maser-Based Distance Determinations, 108

3.8 Pulsars: Distance Measurements Outside the ‘Classical' Wavelength Range, 110

Bibliography, 114

4 Reaching Virgo Cluster Distances and Beyond, 135

4.1 The Hubble Space Telescope Key Project, 135

4.2 Surface Brightness Fluctuations, 136

4.3 The Globular Cluster Luminosity Function, 140

4.3.1 Elliptical Versus Spiral Galaxy GCLFs, 141

4.3.2 The Stellar Population Mix, 144

4.3.3 GCLF and GCMF Universality Through Dynamical Evolution, 144

4.4 The Planetary Nebulae Luminosity Function, 148

4.4.1 Applicability, 149

4.4.2 Physical Basis, 150

4.5 The Tully...Fisher Relation, 151

4.5.1 Wavelength Dependence, 152

4.5.2 The Scatter in the Tully...Fisher Relation, 154

4.6 Distance Indicators Specific to Elliptical Galaxies, 156

4.7 The Colour...Magnitude Relation, 161

4.8 HII Regions as Distance Indicators?, 164

Bibliography, 165

5 From Nearby Galaxy Clusters to Cosmological Distances, 175

5.1 Cosmological Redshifts, 175

5.1.1 Determination of the Current Expansion Rate of the Universe, 175

5.1.2 Redshift Surveys and Peculiar Velocities, 176

5.1.3 The Prevailing Cosmological Model, 179

5.2 Supernovae as Beacons, 186

5.2.1 Type Ia Supernovae, 188

5.2.2 Type II-P Supernovae, 197

5.2.3 A Link to Gamma-Ray Bursts as Standard Candles?, 207

5.3 Indirect Techniques to Measure H0, 210

5.3.1 Gravitational Lensing: Time Delays, 210

5.3.2 The Sunyaev...Zel'dovich Effect, 215

5.3.3 Anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background, 222

5.3.4 The Drive for Improved Accuracy, 225

Bibliography, 227

6 Systematic Uncertainties and Common Pitfalls, 243

6.1 Common Biases, 244

6.1.1 Extinction: Spatial Distribution and Wavelength Dependence, 244

6.1.2 Parallaxes: Lutz...Kelker Bias, 246

6.1.3 Malmquist Bias, 251

6.2 High Versus Low Values of the Hubble Constant: Science or Philosophy?, 255

Bibliography, 259

7 Promises and Prospects, 267

7.1 The Way Forward: Where Are Significant Gains Achievable?, 267

7.2 The Pleiades Distance Controversy, 270

7.3 X-Ray Scattering Haloes, 273

7.4 Standard Sirens: Listening to Gravitational Waves, 276

7.5 Three-Dimensional Mapping of Redshifted Neutral Hydrogen, 280

7.6 The Present-Day Distance Ladder, 283

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An Introduction to Distance Measurement in Astronomy

ISBN-13: 9780470511800 See more

Author(s): Richard de Grijs

Price Information

Additional product details

Marketing Promotion