If you have resources to suggest for this topic, you may add them by editing this page. To do so, Login using your Login ID and then select Edit(Text) in the uppper part (or lower part) of this page. (You can create a Login ID if you do not have one for this site. See How To Use This Site for further information). Please don't delete any resources that are already listed. The Imagine the Universe! team reserves the right to review and edit resource entries.
NOTE: You can only edit the existing topics pages. You won't be able to add new pages. If you would like to suggest additional topics, please email us at itu@lists.nasa.gov.
Pulsars
http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/~pulsar/Education/Sounds/sounds.html
- Play these sound files to hear what a pulsar "sounds" like. You'll be surprised at how fast they spin! Middle school and up.
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/pulsars/pulsars.html
- More on the Crab Nebula pulsar, the most famous pulsar we know. Includes a video of the energy waves produced by the spinning pulsar. High school and above.
http://www.bigear.org/vol1no1/burnell.htm
- Jocelyn Bell gives a first-hand account of the discovery of pulsars. A very entertaining read! High school and above.
http://www.aip.org/history/mod/pulsar/pulsar1/01.html
- This is the story of the discovery of the first optical pulsar told by the scientists themselves. You can read the text or hear their voices. This site gives a glimpse into very real process of science and into the moment of discovery. A Teacher's Guide is included.
http://www.rog.nmm.ac.uk/leaflets/pulsars/pulsars.html
- This has a good general description and examples of pulsars in our Universe. It was produced by the Information Services Department of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and is for students in middle school and above.
Books
Gaustad, John & Zeilik, Michael, Astronomy: The Cosmic Perspective- second edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1990. This text was designed for an introductory astronomy course for upper high school or undergraduate students who want a comprehensive view and understanding of modern astronomy, including pulsars (see Chapters 20 & 21).
Giacconi, R. & Gursky, H., X-Ray Astronomy, D. Reidel Publishing Company. Known as a 'classic' X-ray astronomy text book. Includes discussion of pulsars (see Chapter 7) at a level intended for the undergraduate science major, or above.
Giacconi, R. & Tucker, W., The X-ray Universe, Harvard University Press, 1985. Considered to be another 'classic' X-ray astronomy text book. Includes discussion of pulsars (see Chapter 7) at a level intended for the undergraduate science major, or above.
- Kaufmann, William J. III, Universe, Freeman and Company, 1994. This book comes highly recommended from both students and scientists. It explains many concepts in astronomy from cosmology to high-energy astrophysics, including information on pulsars (see Chapter 23). Intended for the upper high school student with a strong science background and interest, or the undergraduate science major taking a basic astronomy course.
- Levy, David H., A Nature Company Guide: Skywatching, Time-Life Books, 1995. This book provides a general overview and discussion of astronomical objects, including pulsars. For students in middle school or above.
- Lyne, Andrew G., "Pulsar Astronomy", Cambridge University Press. May 1998. Intended for undergraduate students and above. Some equations included.
- Seward, Frederick D. and Charles, Philip A., Exploring the X-ray Universe, Cambridge University Press, 1995. Explains X-ray astronomy and astrophysics along with its most recent developments. Intended for the undergraduate science major, or above.
- Voyage Through the Universe: The New Astronomy, Time-Life Books. This volume is one of a series which examines the Universe in all its aspects. General information for the upper high school student (and above), related to pulsars, will be found in the 'An Expanding Spectrum' chapter.
Magazine Articles
McNamara, Geoff, "Pulsars in E-Flat", Astronomy Now, May 1995, vol. 9, no. 5. Discusses the discovery of millisecond pulsars. Intended for the high school student interested in science, or above.