Astrophysics - Decoding the Cosmos

ASTROPHYSICS
 
The new edition of the popular textbook for undergraduate astronomers, covers the "how" of astrophysics
 
Astrophysics: Decoding the Cosmos, Second Edition, describes how information about the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies is obtained and analyzed to gain a better understanding of the universe. This acclaimed introductory textbook makes the complex principles and theories underlying astrophysics accessible to students with basic knowledge of first-year calculus-based physics and introductory astronomy. Reader-friendly chapters explore physical processes using relevant examples and clear explanations of how radiation and particles are analyzed. Such analysis leads to the density, temperature, mass, and energy of astronomical objects.
 
In the time since the first publication of Astrophysics, the power of telescopes has increased considerably. Reflecting advancements in the field, this new edition includes carefully reviewed and updated material throughout, including recent GAIA satellite results, new information from subatomic particles, neutrinos, and cosmic rays, and brand-new case studies on Gamma-ray bursters, soft repeaters, fast radio bursts, exoplanets, and signals from exoplanetary atmospheres. Retaining its focus on electromagnetic radiation, the second edition now covers more of the ways that information about the universe is acquired, such as particles, gravitational radiation, and meteoritics. This textbook:
* Describes complex processes in a clear and accessible manner
* Provides relevant background information on the physics and examples of the theory in practice to place the subject into context
* Includes new figures, case studies, examples, further readings, end-of-chapter problems of varying difficulty levels, and open-ended "Just for Fun" problems
* Features a companion website containing information required to solve the designated web-based problems in the text and a range supplementary learning material
 
Astrophysics: Decoding the Cosmos, Second Edition, is the ideal intermediate textbook for second- and third-year undergraduate students in Astrophysics courses, as well as a useful resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students looking to refresh their knowledge in basic concepts.

List of contents

Preface to the 1st edition xiii
 
Preface to the 2nd edition xv
 
Acknowledgments - 1st Edition xvii
 
Acknowledgments - 2nd Edition xix
 
List of Symbols xxi
 
About the Companion Website xxiii
 
Introduction xxv
 
I.1 Dimensions, Units and Equations xxix
 
Problems xxxiv
 
Just for Fun xxxiv
 
Part I: The Nonelectromagnetic Signal 1
 
Chapter 1: The Particles: Macroscopic to Subatomic 3
 
1.1 Meteoritics 4
 
1.1.1 Dating Meteorites 7
 
1.1.2 Infrasound 9
 
1.1.3 Gathering Dust 15
 
1.2 Cosmic Rays 17
 
1.2.1 Cosmic Ray Composition 18
 
1.2.2 The Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum 19
 
1.2.3 The Origin of Primary Cosmic Rays 23
 
1.3 Neutrinos 25
 
1.3.1 The Neutrino Spectrum 27
 
1.3.2 Astrophysics with Neutrinos 30
 
Problems 32
 
Just for Fun 35
 
Chapter 2: Gravitational Radiation: A New Window 37
 
2.1 Concepts of Relativity 37
 
2.2 The Fabric of Space-Time 38
 
2.3 Curved Space-Time near a Mass 40
 
2.4 Gravitational Waves 43
 
2.5 GWs from Binary Orbits 45
 
2.6 Evolution of a Binary Orbit 48
 
2.6.1 The Inspiral 48
 
2.6.2 The 'Death-Spiral' 51
 
2.7 Indirect Proof of the Existence of Gravitational Waves 53
 
2.8 Direct Proof of the Existence of Gravitational Waves 55
 
2.9 Even Newer Windows 58
 
Problems 59
 
Just for Fun 60
 
Part II: The EM Signal Observed 63
 
Chapter 3: Defining the Signal 65
 
3.1 The Power of Light - Luminosity and Spectral Power 65
 
3.2 Light Through a Surface - Flux and Flux Density 69
 
3.3 The Brightness of Light - Intensity and Specific Intensity 72
 
3.4 Light from All Angles - Energy Density and Mean Intensity 78
 
3.5 How Light Pushes - Radiation Pressure 80
 
3.6 The Human Perception of Light - Magnitudes 83
 
3.6.1 Apparent Magnitude 83
 
3.6.2 Absolute Magnitude 86
 
3.6.3 The Colour Index and Bolometric Correction 86
 
3.6.4 Gaia and the HR Diagram 87
 
3.6.5 Magnitudes Beyond Stars 90
 
3.7 Light Aligned - Polarization 90
 
Problems 91
 
Just for Fun 95
 
Chapter 4: Measuring the Signal 97
 
4.1 Spectral Filters and the Panchromatic Universe 97
 
4.2 Catching the Signal - The Telescope 100
 
4.2.1 Collecting and Focussing the Signal 103
 
4.2.2 Detecting the Signal 105
 
4.2.3 Field of View and Pixel Resolution 107
 
4.2.4 Diffraction and Diffraction-limited Resolution 107
 
4.2.5 Weighting the Aperture - Interferometry 109
 
4.3 The Corrupted Signal - The Atmosphere 113
 
4.3.1 Atmospheric Refraction 113
 
4.3.2 Seeing 114
 
4.3.3 Adaptive Optics 118
 
4.3.4 Scintillation 121
 
4.3.5 Atmospheric
 
Reddening 121
 
4.4 Processing the Signal 122
 
4.4.1 Correcting the Signal 122
 
4.4.2 Calibrating the Signal 123
 
4.5 Analysing the Signal 123
 
4.6 Visualizing the Signal 125
 
4.7 Comparing Signals in Disparate Wavebands 129
 
Problems 130
 
Just for Fun 132
 
Part III: Matter and Radiation Essentials 133
 
Chapter 5: Matter Essentials 135
 
5.1 The Big Bang 135
 
5.2 Dark and Light Matter 136
 
5.3 Abundances of the Elements 141
 
5.3.1 Primordial Abundance 141
 
5.3.2 Stellar Evolution and ISM Enrichment 141
 
5.3.3 Supernovae and Explosive Nucleosynthesis 146
 

About the author

Judith Irwin is an Astrophysicist and Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Queen's University, Canada, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate level physics, astrophysics, and astronomy.

Her research focuses on gaseous halos and magnetic fields that surround spiral galaxies. Professor Irwin has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Product details

• Authors: Judith Ann Irwin, Judith Ann (Queen''s University Irwin, Irwin Judith Ann
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 06.05.2021
• EAN: 9781119623687
• ISBN: 978-1-119-62368-7
• No. of pages: 512
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Astronomy; Physik, Astronomie, Kosmologie, Physics, Cosmology, Astronomie u. Astrophysik, Astronomy & Astrophysics