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Astrophysical Concepts

  • Book
  • © 1988

Overview

Authors:
  1. Martin Harwit

    1. Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, USA

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Part of the book series: Astronomy and Astrophysics Library (AAL)

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Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. An Approach to Astrophysics

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 1-52

  3. The Cosmic Distance Scale

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 53-67

  4. Dynamics and Masses of Astronomical Bodies

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 68-103

  5. Random Processes

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 104-158

  6. Photons and Fast Particles

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 159-189

  7. Electromagnetic Processes in Space

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 190-250

  8. Quantum Processes in Astrophysics

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 251-302

  9. Stars

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 303-373

  10. Cosmic Gas and Dust

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 374-430

  11. Structure of the Universe

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 431-485

  12. Life in the Universe

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 486-496

  13. Cosmic Origins

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 497-559

  14. Epilogue

    • Martin Harwit
    Pages 560-560

  15. Back Matter

    Pages 561-626
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Keywords

About this book

My principal aim in writing this book was to present a wide range of astrophysical topics in sufficient depth to give the reader a general quantitative understanding of the subject. The book outlines cosmic events but does not portray them in detail-it provides aseries of astrophysical sketches. I think this approach befits the present uncertainties and changing views in astrophysics. The material is based on notes I prepared for a course aimed at seniors and beginning graduate students in physics and astronomy at Cornell. This course defined the level at which the book is written. For readers who are versed in physics but are unfamiliar with astronomical terminology, Appendix A is included. It gives a brief background of astronomical concepts and should be read before starting the main text. The first few chapters outline the scope of modern astrophysics and deal with elementary problems concerning the size and mass of cosmic objects. However, it soon becomes apparent that a broad foundation in physics is needed to proceed. This base is developed in Chapters 4 to 7 by using, as ex am pIes, specific astronomi­ cal situations. Chapters 8 to 10 enlarge on the topics first outlined in Chapter I and show how we can obtain quantitative insights into the structure and evolution of stars, the dynamics of co~mic gases, and the large-scale behavior of the universe.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, USA

    Martin Harwit

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