Learning Goals

Studying this chapter will enable you to

	Describe the properties of neutron stars, and explain how these strange objects are formed.
	Explain the nature and origin of pulsars, and account for their characteristic radiation.
	List and explain some of the observable properties of neutron-star binary systems.
	Discuss the basic characteristics of gamma-ray bursts and some theoretical attempts to explain them.
	Describe how black holes are formed, and discuss their effects on matter and radiation in their vicinity.
	Relate the phenomena that occur near black holes due to the warping of space around them.
	Discuss the difficulties that arise in observing black holes, and explain some of the ways in which the presence of a black hole might be detected.