Properties of Double Stars: A Survey of Parallaxes and Orbits

In this review of Properties of Double Stars: A Survey of Parallaxes and Orbits, the bottom line is simple: this rereleased volume is best for historians of astronomy and working astronomers who need access to classic, peer-reviewed treatments of binary-star parallax and orbital data. Released as part of the Penn Press Anniversary Collection, this edition reunites an important older study with modern availability, and the single biggest reason to buy is its scholarly value as a preserved reference that would otherwise be difficult to find.

Key Features

• Anniversary reissue: The book is part of the Penn Press Anniversary Collection, making a previously out-of-print scholarly title available again for research and teaching.
• Historical scholarship: The volume preserves peer-reviewed work spanning the original publication era, useful for those tracing the development of double-star studies.
• Focused subject matter: It concentrates on parallaxes and orbits of double stars, providing targeted material for specialists in binary-star dynamics and observational history.
• Reliable publisher curation: Reissued by the University of Pennsylvania Press as part of a curated backlist, ensuring the text reflects the press' archival standards.
• Academic utility: Suitable as a citation-ready reference for papers, coursework, or comparative historical analysis in astronomy.

Who It's For

Researchers, graduate students, and professional astronomers with an interest in stellar multiplicity and the history of observational techniques will find this reissue especially valuable. Librarians and university collections seeking to round out historical holdings in astronomy will also appreciate the careful preservation found in the Anniversary Collection.

Casual readers seeking a modern textbook on binary-star techniques or an introductory guide to astronomy should look elsewhere, as this volume is a historical, specialist work rather than a contemporary primer or beginner's text.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Restores a scholarly, peer-reviewed title to print, improving access for researchers and institutions.
• Focuses tightly on parallaxes and orbits, making it a concentrated reference for specialists.
• Issued by a reputable academic press as part of a curated Anniversary Collection, which signals editorial care.

Cons

• Not a modern textbook; readers seeking up-to-date methods or introductory explanations may find it dated.

Specifications

Title	Properties of Double Stars: A Survey of Parallaxes and Orbits (Anniversary Collection)
Author	Leendert Binnendijk
Publisher series	Penn Press Anniversary Collection
Reissue purpose	Rerelease of out-of-print scholarly backlist for the 125th anniversary
Subject area	Astronomy, double stars, parallaxes, orbits
Intended audience	Researchers, librarians, and advanced students

Our Verdict

This Anniversary Collection reissue is a worthwhile purchase for anyone needing authoritative historical material on double-star parallaxes and orbits; it offers strong archival value and reliable scholarship, though it is not a substitute for contemporary textbooks or handbooks of modern techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a modern textbook?
This is a reissued historical scholarly work, not a contemporary introductory textbook on binary-star techniques.

Who edited this reissue?
The volume is part of the University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection, which reissued select backlist titles for the press' 125th anniversary.

Is it suitable for citation in research?
Yes; as a peer-reviewed historical volume restored to print, it is appropriate for citation in scholarly work on double stars and observational history.