Astronomical Polarisation from the Infrared to Gamma Rays

This book serves as both a primer to astronomical polarimetry and an authoritative overview of its application to various types of astronomical objects from AGN, compact stars, binary systems, stars across the HR diagram, transients, the interstellar medium and solar system bodies. It starts with an historical perspective, a discussion of polarimetric theory, instrumentation and techniques in wave bands from the near infrared to gamma rays.

The book presents the state of the art in astronomical polarimetry. It is motivated by the new X-ray polarimeters due to be launched in the next four years and improved optical polarimeters on large telescopes requiring a new analysis of polarimetric theory, methodology and results.This book will be suitable as advanced undergraduate companion text, a primer for graduate students and all researchers with an interest in astronomical polarimetry.

• Multi-wavelength polarimetry
• X-ray and gamma-ray polarization
• Astronomical Instrumentation
• Magnetic Fields of astronomical objects
• Polarimetry of Stars
• Polarimetry of Compact Objects
• Interstellar medium polarisation
• Compact Binary Systems
• Solar System Objects
• Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
• Astronomical polarimetry

• INAF/IASF - Milan, Milan, Italy

  Roberto Mignani

• School of Physics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

  Andrew Shearer

• Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Center for Astronomy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland

  Agnieszka Słowikowska

• Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Dorking, UK

  Silvia Zane

Roberto Mignani is Staff Astronomer, INAF-IASF, Milan (Italy) and Professor in Astronomy at the University of Zielona Gora (Poland). His research comprises multi-wavelength astrophysics and observations, time-domain astronomy and High-Time Resolution astrophysics, sky surveys, multi-wavelength studies of neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes, stellar evolution, supernova remnants.

Andrew Shearer is Personal Professor at NUI Galway. His research focusses on optical and multiwavelength observations of Pulsars as well as astronomical Instrument development - particularly optical polarimetry. 

Silvia Zane is Professor of Astrophysics at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, UK. The main focus of her research is the study of the behaviour of matter and radiation in presence of extreme conditions: strong gravity, strong magnetic fields and strong velocity fields. Most of her research is in the field of compact objects (black holes and neutron stars).

Agnieszka Slowikowska is a researcher at the Centre for Astronomy at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland). Her main interests are polarimetric studies of white dwarfs and pulsars, as well as polarimetric techniques and instrument development. She is also interested in exoplanets and debris disks.