Padmanabhan, Thanu.
An Invitation to Astrophysics. - 1 online resource (383 pages) - World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics Ser. ; v.8 . - World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics Ser. .
Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- Prologue -- 1 Gravitation -- 1.1 Orbits in Newtonian gravity -- 1.2 Precession and tides -- 1.3 Virial theorem -- 1.4 Gravitational collisions and relaxation -- 1.5 Relativistic gravity -- 1.6 Gravitational lensing -- 2 Radiative Processes -- 2.1 The origin of radiation -- 2.1.1 Radiation in classical theory -- 2.1.2 Radiation in quantum theory -- 2.2 Thermal radiation -- 2.3 Monochromatic plane wave -- 2.4 Astrophysical radiative processes -- 2.4.1 Thermal bremsstrahlung -- 2.4.2 Synchrotron radiation -- 2.4.3 Inverse Compton scattering -- 2.5 Radiative processes in quantum theory -- 2.5.1 Energy levels -- 2.5.2 Transition rates and cross sections -- 2.5.3 Ionisation and recombination -- 2.5.4 Spectral line profiles -- 3 Matter -- 3.1 Equations of state -- 3.2 Self-gravitating barotropic fluids -- 3.3 Flows of matter -- 3.3.1 Spherical accretion -- 3.3.2 Accretion disks -- 3.3.3 Shock waves and explosions -- 3.3.4 Turbulence -- 3.4 Basic plasma physics -- 3.4.1 Ionisation equilibrium of plasma -- 3.4.2 Electromagnetic fields in plasma -- 4 Stars and Stellar Evolution -- 4.1 When is gravity important? -- 4.2 Stellar magnitudes and colours -- 4.3 Modeling stellar structure -- 4.4 The Sun as a star -- 4.5 Overview of stellar evolution -- 4.5.1 Formation of a main sequence star -- 4.5.2 Life history of a star -- 5 Relics of Stars -- 5.1 Supernova remnants -- 5.2 White dwarfs -- 5.3 Neutron stars and pulsars -- 5.4 Black holes -- 5.5 Compact remnants in stellar binaries -- 6 Cosmology and the Early Universe -- 6.1 Evolution of the universe -- 6.2 Primordial nucleosynthesis -- 6.3 Decoupling of matter and radiation -- 6.4 Formation of dark matter halos -- 6.5 Generation of initial perturbations -- 6.6 Temperature anisotropies in the CMBR -- 7 Universe at z < 20 -- 7.1 Galaxy formation. 7.2 Star formation history of the universe -- 7.3 Intergalactic medium and the Gunn-Peterson effect -- 7.4 Ionisation of IGM -- 8 Normal Galaxies -- 8.1 Morphological classification of galaxies -- 8.1.1 Properties of disk galaxies -- 8.1.2 Angular momentum of galaxies -- 8.1.3 Properties of elliptical galaxies -- 8.2 Models for stellar distribution in a galaxy -- 8.2.1 Lane-Emden models -- 8.2.2 Isothermal and King models -- 8.2.3 Disk models -- 8.3 Spectral energy distribution of galaxies -- 8.4 The evolution of galaxies -- 8.5 Luminosity function of galaxies -- 8.6 Distribution of galaxies -- 9 Active Galaxies -- 9.1 AGN: Basic paradigm and the spectra -- 9.2 Radio jets and bulk relativistic motion -- 9.3 Quasar luminosity function -- 9.4 Neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium -- 9.4.1 Lyman forest -- 9.4.2 Damped Lyman alpha clouds -- Appendix Range of Physical Quantities in Astrophysics -- Bibliography -- Index.
Key Features:A unique book for physicists who would like to appreciate and share the current excitement in astrophysicsCovers foundations and frontiers of astrophysicsExplains astronomical jargon and concepts in a self-contained mannerIncludes topics in frontier research areas such as cosmic microwave background, inflation, and blackhole physicsInnovative derivations and description of several topics with an emphasis on physical concepts rather than algebraic detailsIncludes exercises titled 'Real Life Astronomy' that relate to the research literature.
9789812774378
Astrophysics.
Cosmology.
Electronic books.
QB461.P244 2006
523.01
An Invitation to Astrophysics. - 1 online resource (383 pages) - World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics Ser. ; v.8 . - World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics Ser. .
Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- Prologue -- 1 Gravitation -- 1.1 Orbits in Newtonian gravity -- 1.2 Precession and tides -- 1.3 Virial theorem -- 1.4 Gravitational collisions and relaxation -- 1.5 Relativistic gravity -- 1.6 Gravitational lensing -- 2 Radiative Processes -- 2.1 The origin of radiation -- 2.1.1 Radiation in classical theory -- 2.1.2 Radiation in quantum theory -- 2.2 Thermal radiation -- 2.3 Monochromatic plane wave -- 2.4 Astrophysical radiative processes -- 2.4.1 Thermal bremsstrahlung -- 2.4.2 Synchrotron radiation -- 2.4.3 Inverse Compton scattering -- 2.5 Radiative processes in quantum theory -- 2.5.1 Energy levels -- 2.5.2 Transition rates and cross sections -- 2.5.3 Ionisation and recombination -- 2.5.4 Spectral line profiles -- 3 Matter -- 3.1 Equations of state -- 3.2 Self-gravitating barotropic fluids -- 3.3 Flows of matter -- 3.3.1 Spherical accretion -- 3.3.2 Accretion disks -- 3.3.3 Shock waves and explosions -- 3.3.4 Turbulence -- 3.4 Basic plasma physics -- 3.4.1 Ionisation equilibrium of plasma -- 3.4.2 Electromagnetic fields in plasma -- 4 Stars and Stellar Evolution -- 4.1 When is gravity important? -- 4.2 Stellar magnitudes and colours -- 4.3 Modeling stellar structure -- 4.4 The Sun as a star -- 4.5 Overview of stellar evolution -- 4.5.1 Formation of a main sequence star -- 4.5.2 Life history of a star -- 5 Relics of Stars -- 5.1 Supernova remnants -- 5.2 White dwarfs -- 5.3 Neutron stars and pulsars -- 5.4 Black holes -- 5.5 Compact remnants in stellar binaries -- 6 Cosmology and the Early Universe -- 6.1 Evolution of the universe -- 6.2 Primordial nucleosynthesis -- 6.3 Decoupling of matter and radiation -- 6.4 Formation of dark matter halos -- 6.5 Generation of initial perturbations -- 6.6 Temperature anisotropies in the CMBR -- 7 Universe at z < 20 -- 7.1 Galaxy formation. 7.2 Star formation history of the universe -- 7.3 Intergalactic medium and the Gunn-Peterson effect -- 7.4 Ionisation of IGM -- 8 Normal Galaxies -- 8.1 Morphological classification of galaxies -- 8.1.1 Properties of disk galaxies -- 8.1.2 Angular momentum of galaxies -- 8.1.3 Properties of elliptical galaxies -- 8.2 Models for stellar distribution in a galaxy -- 8.2.1 Lane-Emden models -- 8.2.2 Isothermal and King models -- 8.2.3 Disk models -- 8.3 Spectral energy distribution of galaxies -- 8.4 The evolution of galaxies -- 8.5 Luminosity function of galaxies -- 8.6 Distribution of galaxies -- 9 Active Galaxies -- 9.1 AGN: Basic paradigm and the spectra -- 9.2 Radio jets and bulk relativistic motion -- 9.3 Quasar luminosity function -- 9.4 Neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium -- 9.4.1 Lyman forest -- 9.4.2 Damped Lyman alpha clouds -- Appendix Range of Physical Quantities in Astrophysics -- Bibliography -- Index.
Key Features:A unique book for physicists who would like to appreciate and share the current excitement in astrophysicsCovers foundations and frontiers of astrophysicsExplains astronomical jargon and concepts in a self-contained mannerIncludes topics in frontier research areas such as cosmic microwave background, inflation, and blackhole physicsInnovative derivations and description of several topics with an emphasis on physical concepts rather than algebraic detailsIncludes exercises titled 'Real Life Astronomy' that relate to the research literature.
9789812774378
Astrophysics.
Cosmology.
Electronic books.
QB461.P244 2006
523.01