Extreme Environment Astrophysics

Covering host systems of accreting, relativistic bodies, and the associated high-energy phenomena, this astrophysics textbook is ideal for advanced undergraduates.

Ulrich Kolb (Author)

9780521187855, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 May 2010

288 pages, 60 colour illus. 50 exercises
26.3 x 21 x 1.7 cm, 0.94 kg

'This is in the best tradition of an Open University text, being self-contained, split into clearly defined sections with worked examples for each concept, and superbly illustrated. The clarity of the discussion is such that any of the chapters could be used in undergraduate courses on accretion, while the entire book gives a very complete survey of the field, making it especially suitable as an introduction for graduate students.' Chris Done, Durham University

Covering host systems of accreting, relativistic bodies, and the high-energy phenomena associated with them, this self-contained astrophysics textbook is ideal for advanced undergraduates. The textbook introduces students to a unique blend of astrophysical principles, including the evolutionary history of compact binary stars, the physics of accretion and accretion disc outbursts, the observed signatures of such discs in binary stars and active galactic nuclei, the X-ray emission of accreting compact bodies, and the physics of astrophysical jets and gamma-ray bursts. Worked examples, exercises with complete solutions, full-colour figures and informative chapter summaries guide students through their studies. Boxed equations and key facts highlight important points. Produced by academics drawing on decades of experience delivering courses for The Open University and concentrating on supported learning, this textbook is an ideal guide for self-study. Accompanying resources to this textbook are available at: http://www.cambridge.org/features/astrophysics.

1. Accretion power
2. Formation and evolution of accretion-powered compact binaries
3. Steady-state accretion
4. Accretion disc outbursts
5. Indirect imaging of accreting systems
6. High-energy emission from compact accretors
7. Relativistic outflows
8. Gamma-ray bursts
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Astronomy, space & time [PG]