The Exoplanet Handbook

Product Description Exoplanet research is one of the most explosive subjects in astronomy today. More than 500 exoplanets are now known, and groups world-wide are actively involved in a broad range of observational and theoretical efforts. This book ties together these many avenues of investigation - from the perspectives of observation, technology and theory - to give a comprehensive, up-to-date review of the entire field. All areas of exoplanet investigation are covered, making it a unique and valuable guide for researchers in astronomy and planetary science, including those new to the field. It treats the many different techniques now available for exoplanet detection and characterization, the broad range of underlying physics, the overlap with related topics in solar system and Earth sciences, and the concepts underpinning future developments. It emphasizes the interconnection between the various fields and provides extensive references to more in-depth treatments and reviews. Figures from the book are available at: www.cambridge.org/9780521765596. Review "The Exoplanet Handbook by Michael Perryman is an exhaustive reference for the techniques, facts, and theory of exoplanet science. Poised as it is at the close of the first decade of the new millennium to assume a major role in astronomy's future, exoplanets research has now acquired its encyclopaedist. An excellent and objective resource for novice and expert alike, this compendium is destined for the libraries of all serious students of the art." - Adam Burrows, Professor of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University"Perryman's book is truly a major achievement: it is an astonishingly complete overview of everything we know about exoplanets. Impressively, he covers not only the basic foundational concepts, but also summarizes in detail the observational techniques and challenges, and reviews both current knowledge and past progress. The Exoplanet Handbook will serve as the seminal reference in this field for many years. I would (and will) strongly encourage any graduate students interested in doing serious research in exoplanets to buy a copy of this book." - B. Scott Gaudi, The Ohio State University"Michael Perryman's new book provides not only a thorough discussion of what we have learned about extrasolar planets since the first discoveries over 15 years ago, but also a clear and comprehensive review of the wide range of observational and theoretical techniques that have been employed to find and characterize them. This volume is a must-have for serious researchers in the field, and will be an invaluable reference for many years to come." - I. Neill Reid, Space Telescope Science Institute"This Handbook is a true encyclopedic reference on exoplanets. Perryman's new book is a comprehensive review on major programs and results obtained in the last decade in this exciting new domain of astrophysics and as such it is a priceless resource for experts. The detailed descriptions of the foundations of the main observations techniques and key theoretical aspects make it a perfect book for any student wishing to have a comprehensive introduction to exoplanet research. This volume is likely to become an important reference in the field." - Didier Queloz, Geneva Observatory"The Exoplanet Handbook by Michael Perryman is impressive; the content is of high level and very accurate. He has succeeded in providing an exhaustive and up-to-date review of this mature and rich field. The Handbook will surely help Ph.D. students and professional astronomers who want to learn about this field. It will even be useful to experts who want to check details on some specific aspects, either about exoplanets themselves, detection methods, or instrumentation." - Jean Schneider, CNRS/LUTH - Paris Observatory"Michael Perryman has produced a remarkably detailed compilation of results covering observation, technology, and theory." - The Star Formation Newsletter, February 2012"..an encycl