Astrophysics in a Nutshell

Astrophysics in a Nutshell

Astrophysics in a Nutshell is a concise but comprehensive introduction to the data and concepts underlying modern astronomy. This well-balanced text covers the essentials of modern astrophysics—from stars to cosmology—emphasizing the common physical principles that govern astronomical phenomena. In addition to traditional topics such as stellar remnants, galaxies, and the interstellar medium, Dan Maoz introduces subjects at the forefront of modern research, including black holes, dark matter, gravitational lensing, and dark energy, all updated with some of the latest observational results. To aid physical understanding, Maoz keeps mathematical derivations as simple, short, and clear as possible. He frequently uses “back-of-the-envelope” calculations, including order-of-magnitude estimates, dimensional analysis, and scaling arguments. The book includes discussions of: • stellar spectra, temperatures, emitted power, and masses • physics of main-sequence and post-main sequence stars • white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes • the interstellar medium in star-forming regions • properties of the Milky Way, other galaxies, and galactic systems • observational and theoretical cosmology • cosmological redshift, the cosmic microwave background, and nucleosynthesis • the use of quasars and other objects as cosmological probes. Complete with end-of-chapter exercises, Astrophysics in a Nutshell summarizes our entire cosmos in less than 300 pages.

Hardcover: 268 pages

Publisher: Princeton University Press ( June 01, 2007 )

Item #: 13-9749

ISBN: 9780691125848

Product Dimensions: 7.0 x 10.0 x 0.0 inches

Product Weight: 26.0 ounces