Advanced Astrophysics

This 2003 book develops the basic underlying physics required for an understanding of the science of astrophysics.

Neb Duric (Author)

9780521819671, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 December 2003

312 pages, 134 b/w illus. 14 tables
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.9 cm, 0.76 kg

'This is a brave book. It is with a pang that I opened it, for I have often dreamed of writing such a book, a book that would seamlessly unite undergraduate physics with current astronomical (or astrophysical - but what's in a name?) research … The design is excellent.' The Observatory

This 2003 book develops the basic underlying physics required for a fuller, richer understanding of the science of astrophysics and the important astronomical phenomena it describes. The cosmos manifests phenomena in which physics can appear in its most extreme, and therefore more insightful, forms. A proper understanding of phenomena like black holes, quasars and extrasolar planets requires that we understand the physics that underlies all of astrophysics. Consequently, developing astrophysical concepts from fundamental physics has the potential to achieve two goals: to derive a better understanding of astrophysical phenomena from first principles and to illuminate the physics from which the astrophysics is developed. To that end, astrophysical topics are grouped according to the relevant areas of physics. The book is ideal as a text for graduate and advanced undergraduate students as well as a reference for established researchers.

Part I. Classical Mechanics: 1. Orbital mechanics
2. Galaxy dynamics
3. Cosmic expansion and large-scale structure
Part II. Statistical Mechanics: 4. Overview of statistical mechanics
5. The early universe
6. Stellar structure and compact stars
Part III. Electromagnetism: 7. Radiation from accelerating charges
8. Bremsstrahlung and synchrotron radiation
9. High energy processes in astrophysics
10. Electromagnetic wave propagation
Part IV. Quantum Mechanics: 11. The hydrogen atom
12. The interaction of radiation with matter
13. Atomic fine structure lines
14. Atomic hyperfine structure lines
15. Transitions involving multi-electron atoms
16. Molecular lines in astrophysics.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]