Astrophysics Update

Astrophysics Updates: is intended to serve the information needs of professional astronomers and postgraduate students about areas of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology that are rich and active research spheres. Observational methods and the latest results of astronomical research are presented as well as their theoretical foundations and interrelations. The contributed commissioned articles are written by leading exponents in a format that will appeal to professional astronomers and astrophysicists who are interested in topics outside their own specific areas of research. This collection of timely reviews may also attract the interest of advanced amateur astronomers seeking scientifically rigorous coverage.

• Active Galactic Nuclei
• Cosmic Distance Scale
• Distant Galaxies
• Early Universe
• Exoplanets
• Gravitational Wave
• Planet Formation
• Supermassive Black Holes

From the reviews:

"[...] this book is especially suited for professional astrophysicists and astronomers, but also for postgraduate science students looking to enlarge their horizon. The book is a typical Springer edition: very well printed and with clear drawings and figures. It has a hard cover and is solidly bound, so it will survive many years of intensive use." (Physicalia 2005, 57, page 203-204)

"This book aims to give a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in a wide range of areas of current astrophysics research. … Each chapter provides an extensive list of up-to-date references including links to relevant webpages. … Judicious use is made of graphs and diagrams to illustrate theoretical concepts … without recourse to lots of equations. … I thoroughly recommend Astrophysics Update as an excellent, highly readable overview of current astrophysics research." (Dr. M. Hendry, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 46 (4), July-August, 2005)

"This book is the first volume of a new series devoted to topical and timely reviews on astrophysics written by leading researchers in the field, but in a style accessible to a broad readership of scientists. … this book is especially suited for professional astrophysicists and astronomers, but also for postgraduate science students looking to enlarge their horizon. The book is a typical Springer edition: very well printed and with clear drawings and figures." (Cyriel Wagemans, Physicalia , Vol. 57 (3), 2005)

"The Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics is an invaluable journal for the professional astrophysicist, as a tool for keeping up to date in the rapidly evolving field of astrophysics. … Unfortunately, it is not easily accessible to students or physicists with less astrophysical background. This book … fills that gap. … I could almost base my advanced astrophysics teaching on this text alone! … Anyone teaching, or working in, advanced astrophysics should examinethis text." (Roger Clay, The Physicist, Vol. 41 (4), July/August, 2004)

"True to its title, it is a collection of scholarly review articles, published to provide a snapshot of the current status of astrophysics in some widely disparate sectors. … The papers are generally well illustrated with graphs, diagrams and the occasional image relevant to the subject matter … . It certainly contains much of interest, and perhaps causes the reader to reflect on subject matter they would normally ignore, potentially widening their astronomical horizons." (Roger Feasey, Journal of the Auckland Astronomical Society AAS, August, 2004)

• Barnham, West Sussex, United Kingdom

  John Mason

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