More than two centuries have elapsed since the story of the interacting binary stars began with the rediscovery of the variability of Algol by John Goodricke and the interpretation he proposed for explaining the regular periodic brightness variations which he found. Over this long span of time our knowledge about these systems has been growing, and we have now reached a fairly good understanding of the structure and behavior of this interesting group of objects. This book contains a timely summary of our present knowledge of interacting binary stars. The chapters have been written by distinguished scientists who have done relevant research in the field of interacting binary stars.

This book contains the proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 151 `Evolutionary Processes in Interacting Binary Stars,' which was held from 5 to 9 August 1991 in Cordóba, Argentina. The primary aim of this conference was to review and evaluate our current understanding of the evolutionary processes in wide variety of interacting binary stars from their births to their deaths. Subjects included the formation of binaries, mass flow and transfer, accretion processes, and binaries with collapsed components, such as novae, X-ray binaries and binary pulsars. As the field covered is both broad and diverse, there were in all thirty-seven invited talks; sixty-two contributed papers were also presented. In addition, these proceedings contain comments from a panel discussion of the major unsolved problems of interacting binary stars.

Binary systems of stars are as common as single stars. They are of fundamental importance because they allow stellar masses, radii and luminosities to be measured directly, and explain a host of diverse and energetic phenomena including X-ray binaries, cataclysmic variables, novae, symbiotic stars, and some types of supernovae. This 2001 book was the first to provide a pedagogical and comprehensive introduction to binary stars. It combines theory and observations at all wavelengths to develop a unified understanding of binaries of all categories. It comprehensively reviews methods for calculating orbits, the Roche model, ideas about mass exchange and loss, methods for analysing light curves, the masses and dimensions of different binary systems, and imaging the surfaces of stars and accretion structures. This book provides a thorough introduction to the subject for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Researchers will also find this to be an authoritative reference.

More than half of all stars in the universe formed and evolved as binary systems and their study is essential for understanding stellar and galactic evolution. The six lectures in this book give both a readable introduction and an up-to-date review of nearly all aspects of research into binary stars, including the range from common binaries to more exotic systems composed of white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.

This book explores cataclysmic variables with and without strong, overpowering magnetic fields. You’ll read about stars with densities ranging from that of the Sun to the degenerate matter of white dwarfs to the ultra-compact states of neutron stars and black holes. One of the objects examined and discussed is the Double Pulsar, highlighting what observations have told us about fundamental physics.

IAU Transactions are published as a volume corresponding to each General Assembly. Volume A is produced prior to the Assembly and contains Reports on Astronomy, prepared by each Commission President. The intention is to summarize the astronomical results that have affected the work of the Commission since the production of the previous Reports up to a time which is about one year prior to the General Assembly. Volume B is produced after the Assembly and contains accounts of Commission Meetings which were held, together with other material. The reports included in the present volume range from outline summaries to lengthy compilations and references. Most reports are in English.

IAU S240 focuses on recent advances across the broad field of binary star research.