X-ray astronomy

The book covers such topics as the history of X-ray astronomy, observational techniques, X-ray production mechanisms, solar X-ray emission, discrete X-ray sources, X-ray absorption by the interstellar medium, extragalactic X-ray sources, and the diffuse X-ray background. Various detectors and data reduction methods are described, and production of X-rays by synchotron radiation, Thomson scattering, Coulomb bremsstrahlung, and line emission is analyzed. The general appearance and distribution of X-ray sources from the Uhuru surveys are discussed, and detailed descriptions are presented of such discrete galactic sources as Her X-1, Cyg X-1, Cen X-3, Sco X-1, the Crab Nebula, and the Cygnus Loop. Observational features of X-ray emission from supernova remnants are described together with the evolution of supernovae. X-ray emissions from the quiet corona, active solar regions, and solar flares are analyzed. Extragalactic sources considered include ordinary, radio, and Seyfert galaxies, quasars, and clusters of galaxies. The diffuse X-ray spectrum is described, and the third Uhuru catalog of X-ray sources is presented.