Stars and Stellar Processes

Presents the physics of stars in relation to modern topics such as neutrino oscillations, supernovae, black holes, and gravitational waves.

Mike Guidry (Author)

9781107197886, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 February 2019

572 pages, 253 b/w illus.
25.3 x 19.8 x 2.8 cm, 1.38 kg

'A very comprehensive textbook on stellar physics with plenty of up-to-date topics. The only book needed for an advanced undergraduate level stellar physics course.' Stephen Chi-Yung Ng, University of Hong Kong

This textbook offers a modern approach to the physics of stars, assuming only undergraduate-level preparation in mathematics and physics, and minimal prior knowledge of astronomy. It starts with a concise review of introductory concepts in astronomy, before covering the nuclear processes and energy transport in stellar interiors, and stellar evolution from star formation to the common stellar endpoints as white dwarfs and neutron stars. In addition to the standard material, the author also discusses more contemporary topics that students will find engaging, such as neutrino oscillations and the MSW resonance, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, advanced nucleosynthesis, neutron stars, black holes, cosmology, and gravitational waves. With hundreds of worked examples, explanatory boxes, and problems with solutions, this textbook provides a solid foundation for learning either in a classroom setting or through self-study.

Part I. Stellar Structure: 1. Some properties of stars
2. The Hertzsprung–Russell diagram
3. Stellar equations of state
4. Hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium
5. Thermonuclear reactions in stars
6. Stellar burning processes
7. Energy transport in stars
8. Summary of stellar equations
Part II. Stellar Evolution: 9. The formation of stars
10. Life and times on the main sequence
11. Flavor oscillations of solar neutrinos
12. Solar neutrinos and the MSW effect
13. Evolution of lower-mass stars
14. Evolution of higher-mass stars
15. Stellar pulsations and variability
16. White dwarfs and neutron stars
17. Black holes
Part III. Accretion, Mergers, and Explosions: 18. Accreting binary systems
19. Nova explosions and X-ray bursts
20. Supernovae
21. Gamma-ray bursts
22. Gravitational waves and stellar evolution
Appendix A: constants
Appendix B: numeral units
Appendix C: mean molecular weights
Appendix D: reaction libraries
Appendix E: a mixing-length model
Appendix F: quantum mechanics
Appendix G: using arXiv and ADS
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Particle & high-energy physics [PHP], Physics [PH], Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Astronomy, space & time [PG]