An Invitation to Astrophysics

✍ Scribed by Thanu Padmanabhan

• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 383
• Series: World Scientific Aeries in Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This unique book provides a clear and lucid description of several aspects of astrophysics and cosmology in a language understandable to a physicist or beginner in astrophysics. It presents the key topics in all branches of astrophysics and cosmology in a simple and concise language. The emphasis is on currently active research areas and exciting new frontiers rather than on more pedantic topics. Many complicated results are introduced with simple, novel derivations which strengthen the conceptual understanding of the subject. The book also contains over one hundred exercises which will help students in their self study. Undergraduate and graduate students in physics and astrophysics as well as all physicists who are interested in obtaining a quick grasp of astrophysical concepts will find this book useful.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents......Page 18
Preface......Page 8
Prologue......Page 12
1 Gravitation......Page 21
1.1 Orbits in Newtonian gravity......Page 23
1.2 Precession and tides......Page 31
1.3 Virial theorem......Page 39
1.4 Gravitational collisions and relaxation......Page 45
1.5 Relativistic gravity......Page 48
1.6 Gravitational lensing......Page 54
2.1.1 Radiation in classical theory......Page 63
2.1.2 Radiation in quantum theory......Page 66
2.2 Thermal radiation......Page 69
2.3 Monochromatic plane wave......Page 72
2.4.1 Thermal bremsstrahlung......Page 79
2.4.2 Synchrotron radiation......Page 83
2.4.3 Inverse Compton scattering......Page 87
2.5 Radiative processes in quantum theory......Page 94
2.5.1 Energy levels......Page 95
2.5.2 Transition rates and cross sections......Page 100
2.5.3 Ionisation and recombination......Page 103
2.5.4 Spectral line profiles......Page 107
3.1 Equations of state......Page 115
3.2 Self-gravitating barotropic fluids......Page 121
3.3.1 Spherical accretion......Page 126
3.3.2 Accretion disks......Page 131
3.3.3 Shock waves and explosions......Page 134
3.3.4 Turbulence......Page 137
3.4.1 Ionisation equilibrium of plasma......Page 140
3.4.2 Electromagnetic fields in plasma......Page 145
4.1 When is gravity important?......Page 155
4.2 Stellar magnitudes and colours......Page 159
4.3 Modeling stellar structure......Page 167
4.4 The Sun as a star......Page 177
4.5.1 Formation of a main sequence star......Page 182
4.5.2 Life history of a star......Page 186
5.1 Supernova remnants......Page 199
5.2 White dwarfs......Page 208
5.3 Neutron stars and pulsars......Page 213
5.4 Black holes......Page 216
5.5 Compact remnants in stellar binaries......Page 222
6.1 Evolution of the universe......Page 231
6.2 Primordial nucleosynthesis......Page 242
6.3 Decoupling of matter and radiation......Page 250
6.4 Formation of dark matter halos......Page 253
6.5 Generation of initial perturbations......Page 262
6.6 Temperature anisotropies in the CMBR......Page 271
7.1 Galaxy formation......Page 281
7.2 Star formation history of the universe......Page 288
7.3 Intergalactic medium and the Gunn-Peterson effect......Page 292
7.4 Ionisation of IGM......Page 294
8.1 Morphological classification of galaxies......Page 301
8.1.1 Properties of disk galaxies......Page 303
8.1.2 Angular momentum of galaxies......Page 308
8.1.3 Properties of elliptical galaxies......Page 311
8.2 Models for stellar distribution in a galaxy......Page 314
8.2.2 Isothermal and King models......Page 316
8.2.3 Disk models......Page 318
8.3 Spectral energy distribution of galaxies......Page 319
8.4 The evolution of galaxies......Page 322
8.5 Luminosity function of galaxies......Page 325
8.6 Distribution of galaxies......Page 330
9.1 AGN: Basic paradigm and the spectra......Page 337
9.2 Radio jets and bulk relativistic motion......Page 344
9.3 Quasar luminosity function......Page 349
9.4 Neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium......Page 354
9.4.1 Lyman forest......Page 356
9.4.2 Damped Lyman alpha clouds......Page 359
Appendix Range of Physical Quantities in Astrophysics......Page 367
Bibliography......Page 373
Index......Page 377