Editors
Tomaso M. Belloni
INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera
Merate, Italy
Mariano Méndez
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
University of Groningen
Groningen, The Netherlands
Chengmin Zhang
National Astronomical Observatories
and
The University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing, China
ISSN 0067-0057
ISSN 2214-7985 (electronic)
Astrophysics and Space Science Library
ISBN 978-3-662-62108-0
ISBN 978-3-662-62110-3 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-62110-3
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology
now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book
are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or
the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any
errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional
claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Cover illustration: Composite image showing an artist’s impression of the SGR 1806-20 magnetar during
its giant flare in 2004. The magnetic field lines are shown, together with the presence of hot spots. These
are responsible for the oscillations that can be seen in the overlaid light curve shown in yellow. The time
axis spans about six minutes. Artist’s Image credit: NASA Light curve credit: T. Belloni
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of
Springer Nature.
The registered company address is: Heidelberger Platz 3, 14197 Berlin, Germany
Tomaso M. Belloni
INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera
Merate, Italy
Mariano Méndez
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
University of Groningen
Groningen, The Netherlands
Chengmin Zhang
National Astronomical Observatories
and
The University of Chinese Academy
of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing, China
ISSN 0067-0057
ISSN 2214-7985 (electronic)
Astrophysics and Space Science Library
ISBN 978-3-662-62108-0
ISBN 978-3-662-62110-3 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-62110-3
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology
now known or hereafter developed.
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book
are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or
the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any
errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional
claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Cover illustration: Composite image showing an artist’s impression of the SGR 1806-20 magnetar during
its giant flare in 2004. The magnetic field lines are shown, together with the presence of hot spots. These
are responsible for the oscillations that can be seen in the overlaid light curve shown in yellow. The time
axis spans about six minutes. Artist’s Image credit: NASA Light curve credit: T. Belloni
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of
Springer Nature.
The registered company address is: Heidelberger Platz 3, 14197 Berlin, Germany