Fundamentals of Astrophysics

Designed for one-semester astrophysics courses, this well-received textbook is aimed at students with college-level calculus-based physics.

Stan Owocki (Author)

9781009618007, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 July 2025

320 pages
24.3 x 17.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.61 kg

'The use of colour throughout the book is well done.' Jason Kirk, University of Lancashire

Presenting a concise overview of astrophysical concepts, the second edition of this textbook bridges the gap between introductory astronomy books and advanced astrophysics texts. Designed for one-semester astrophysics courses, the textbook is aimed at science and engineering students with college-level calculus-based physics. The new edition features both revisions and additions, with the extension of topics such as luminosity distance and the inclusion of notable developments such as the James Webb and Roman Space Telescopes. As before, the chapters are organized into five parts, covering: stellar properties; stellar structure and evolution; the interstellar medium and star/planet formation; our Milky Way and other galaxies; and cosmology. The exposition guides students toward a comprehensive fundamental understanding, using 'Quick Questions' to spur practice in basic computations, and multi-part exercises that offer a greater challenge. The solutions to the questions are freely accessible online, with exercise solutions and lecture slides available for instructors.

Part I. Stellar Properties: 1. Introduction
2. Astronomical distances
3. Stellar luminosity
4. Surface temperature from a star's color
5. Stellar radius from luminosity and temperature
6. Composition and ionization from stellar spectra
7. Surface gravity and escape/orbital speed
8. Stellar ages and lifetimes
9. Stellar space velocities
10. Using binary systems to determine masses and radii
11. Stellar rotation
12. Light intensity and absorption
13. Observational methods
14. Our Sun
Part II. Stellar Structure and Evolution: 15. Hydrostatic balance between pressure and gravity
16. Transport of radiation from interior to surface
17. Structure of radiative versus convective stellar envelopes
18. Hydrogen fusion and the mass range of stars
19. Post-main-sequence evolution: low-mass stars
20. Post-main-sequence evolution: high-mass stars
Part III. Interstellar Medium and Formation of Stars and Planets: 21. The interstellar medium
22. Star formation
23. Origin of planetary systems
24. Water planet Earth
25. Extra-solar planets
Part IV. Our Milky Way and Other Galaxies
26. Our Milky Way galaxy
27. External galaxies
28. Active galactic nuclei and quasars
29. Large-scale structure and galaxy formation and evolution
Part V. Cosmology: 30. Newtonian dynamical model of universe expansion
31. Accelerating universe with a cosmological constant
32. The hot Big Bang
33. Eras in the evolution of the universe
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]