ENGLISH

Magnetohydrodynamics in binary stars

By C.G. Campbell

Book information

Publisher
Springer
Year
1997
ISBN
0792346068, 9780792346067
LCC
QB821 .C36 1997
Open Library ID
OL674023M
Language
english
Format
DJVU
Filesize
4 MB (3700071 bytes)
Series
Astrophysics and Space Science Library
Edition
1
Pages
310\310
Library
Kolxo3
DPI
96
Scanned
yes
Time added
2009-07-20 03:45:11

Description

Magnetism in binary stars is now an area of central importance in stellar astrophysics. Magnetic fields are believed to play a fundamental role in the mass transfer process in all close binaries. After an outline of the early work in binary stars, the book introduces the fundamentals of magnetohydrodynamics and binary star theory. The main areas of MHD in binary stars are then considered, including the AM Herculis systems, intermediate polars, X-ray binary pulsars, accretion disc magnetism, and stellar and disc winds. The unifying theme is the property of magnetic fields of redistributing angular momentum, and the associated stellar spin evolution. Although this is a rapidly expanding area, the fundamental problems discussed here are likely to remain relevant for future decades. A knowledge of physics to undergraduate level is assumed. The material should be of interest to observers as well as theoreticians. Although the book is mainly aimed at research workers, parts of the text could be useful for postgraduate courses in astrophysical fluid dynamics and binary star theory.

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