Milone E.F., Sterken C. (Eds.) Astronomical Photometry. Past, Present, and Future

Springer-Verlag New York 2011. — 220 pp. — (Astrophysics and Space Science Library 373). — ISBN: 978-1-4419-8049-6 (Print) 978-1-4419-8050-2 (Online).This book brings together experts in the field of astronomical photometry to discuss how their subfields provide the precision and accuracy in astronomical energy flux measurements that are needed to permit tests of astrophysical theories. Differential photometers and photometry, improvements in infrared precision, the improvements in precision and accuracy of CCD photometry, the absolute calibration of flux, the development of the Johnson UBVRI photometric system and other passband systems to measure and precisely classify specific types of stars and astrophysical quantities, and the current capabilities of spectrophotometry and polarimetry to provide precise and accurate data, are all discussed in this volume. The discussion of `differential’ or `two-star’ photometers ranges from early experiments in visual photometry through the Harvard and Princeton polarizing photometers to the pioneering work of Walraven and differential photometers designed to minimize effects of atmospheric extinction and to counter the effects of aurorae at high latitude sites; two of these are the Pierce-Blitzstein photometer of the University of Pennsylvania, in use for several decades, and the Rapid Alternate Detection System (RADS) developed at the University of Calgary in the 1980s.No other current title offers a comprehensive discussion of the development, importance, and practice of astronomical photometry
Based on two major conferences that focused on the importance of standardization
Suitable for newer generations of researchers who need to see to the standards to which they should aspire in order to improve on the precision produced by the best techniques of astronomical photometryPhotometric Precision and Accuracy
The High Road to Astronomical Photometric Precision: Differential Photometry
High Precision Differential Photometry with CCDs: A Brief History
The Pierce-Blitzstein Photometer
Johnson Photometry and Its Descendants
The Rise and Improvement of Infrared Photometry
On the Use of Photometry in Spectral Classification
Absolute Photometry: Past and Present
Optical Region Spectrophotometry: Past and Present
Measurement of Polarized Light in Astronomy