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.

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.

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.

Inhalt

Preface to the 1^st edition xiii

Preface to the 2^nd 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 SpaceTime 38

2.3 Curved SpaceTime 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 S…