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Astrophysical Concepts

  • Textbook
  • © 1998

Overview

Authors:
  1. Martin Harwit

    1. Department of Astronomy, Space Sciences Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA

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

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
    Download chapter 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
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Keywords

About this book

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.

Reviews

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

Authors and Affiliations

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

    Martin Harwit

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