Astrophysical Concepts

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. An Approach to Astrophysics

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 1-48

3. The Cosmic Distance Scale

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 49-62

4. Dynamics and Masses of Astronomical Bodies

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 63-95

5. Random Processes

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 97-148

6. Photons and Fast Particles

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 149-182

7. Electromagnetic Processes in Space

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 183-239

8. Quantum Processes in Astrophysics

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 241-286

9. Stars

   • Martin Harwit

   Pages 287-349

10. Cosmic Gas and Dust

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 351-406

11. Formation of Stars and Planetary Systems

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 407-438

12. The Universe We Inhabit

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 439-481

13. The Early Universe

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 483-512

14. Origins of Structure

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 513-557

15. Life in the Universe

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 559-571

16. Epilogue

    • Martin Harwit

    Pages 573-573

17. Back Matter

    Pages 575-653

    PDF

Twenty-five years have passed since the first edition of Astrophysical Concepts appeared. During this time astrophysics has undergone major revolutions. We have gained new perspectives on the Universe with the aid ofpowerful gamma-ray, X­ ray, and infrared telescopes, whose sensitivities could not have been imagined a quarter-century earlier. We have become expert at snaring neutrinos to gain insight on nuclear processes at work in the Sun and supernovae. We have direct evidence for the existence of neutron stars and gravitational waves, and persuasive arguments for the detection of black holes on scales of individual stars as weH as galactic nuclei. With so much that is new, and so many new problems revealed by knowledge al­ ready gained, almost all parts ofthis book had to be reconsidered and rewritten. In the second edition, which appeared ten years ago, I had only added a chapter on the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. For this third edition, such piecemeal mea­ sures no longer seemed appropriate. Much ofthe book has been completely revised. My principal aim in this third edition, as before, was to present a wide range of astrophysical topics in sufficient depth to give the reader a general quantitative understanding ofthe subject. The book outlines cosmic events but does not portray them in detail-it provides aseries of astrophysical sketches. I think this approach still befits the prevailing uncertainties and rapidly evolving views in astrophysics.

• Supernova
• active galactic nuclei
• astronomy
• astrophysics
• cosmic ray
• early universe
• galaxies
• gamma-ray burst
• planet
• quasar
• quasars
• solar system
• sun
• universe

FROM REVIEWS OF THE PREVIOUS EDITION
"a clear, solid introduction to astrophysics ... that shows how physics can be applied to astronomical objects ... One of the strong points is the problems (that) give students a real feel for the sort of calculations astronomers must do ... were I teaching a junior/senior astrophysics course, this is the book I would use."
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS

"This is a popular book among professional astrophysicists, produced with that meticulous detail and completeness of the house of Springer … This is indeed a theoretician’s book [and] Harwit has made a prodigious effort in organizing all this information in a logical sequence … A masterly mathematical exposition of a galaxy of astrophysical processes." Astronomy

• Department of Astronomy, Space Sciences Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA

  Martin Harwit

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