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Informationen zum Autor Richard de Grijs , Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Peking University, China. Klappentext An Introduction to Distance Measurement in Astronomy delves into the physical processes and properties underlining the methods used for distance determinations, travelling from our local solar neighbourhood to the edge of the Universe and defining the milestones along the way. Accurate distance measurements are of prime importance to our understanding of the fundamental properties of not only the Universe as a whole, but also of the large variety of astrophysical objects contained within it. This book illustrates the interdependence of measurements across radically different scales and provides a clear introductory overview of the many subfields of relevance to this topic. It outlines the links between distance determination techniques and many other areas of astrophysics and cosmology, including; ¿ stellar types, star clusters and their life cycles ¿ stellar content, dynamics and evolution of galaxies ¿ the expansion, geometry and history of the Universe The focus of this text is on the physics behind distance determination methods, highlighting the effectiveness of modern techniques including up-to-date results with accounts of recent progress and detailed discussions of the uncertainties and pitfalls associated with all methods. This enables the reader to build a framework for understanding how to place observations into an astrophysical context and recognize that some key issues are open-ended. This highly valuable and practical book is not only appropriate for undergraduate and postgraduate students but also includes technical and detailed material for the more advanced reader. Zusammenfassung Adopting a unique and engaging approach to the subject, this book takes the reader on a journey from the solar neighborhood to the edge of the Universe, discussing the range of distance measurements methods on the way. Inhaltsverzeichnis 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 MilkyWay 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
