After more than half a century since their unexpected discovery and identification as neutron stars, the observation and understanding of pulsars touches upon many areas of astronomy and astrophysics. The literature on pulsars is vast and the observational techniques used now cover the whole of the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-rays. Now in its fifth edition, this volume has been reorganised and features new material throughout. It provides an introduction in historical and physical terms to the many aspects of neutron stars, including condensed matter, physics of the magnetosphere, supernovae and the development of the pulsar population, propagation in the interstellar medium, binary stars, gravitation and general relativity. The current development of a new generation of powerful radio telescopes, designed with pulsar research in mind, makes this survey and guide essential reading for a growing body of students and astronomers.

The only up-to-date, comprehensive review of all topics relating to the field of pulsar astronomy, setting out the basic physical theory for each topic
The fifth edition has been fully revised to include advances in observational techniques, pulsar variability, millisecond pulsars, magnets, thermal radiation from neutron stars, and the location and nature of emission regions
carefully selected references for each research topic have been updated and extend to more than 800 items, providing the foundations for further detailed and intensive reading