E-Book Overview
Astronomy describes the mechanics of the universe in the more basic language of physics, otherwise known as "astrophysics". Knowledge of black holes, quasars and extrasolar planets requires understanding of the physics underlying astrophysics. This book clarifies the fundamental principles of the field as well as the important astronomical phenomena it describes. Readers will gain a greater appreciation of the connection between physics and astronomy.
E-Book Content
ADVANCED ASTROPHYSICS This book develops the basic underlying physics required for a fuller, richer understanding of the science of astrophysics and the important astronomical phenomena it describes. The Cosmos manifests phenomena in which physics can appear in its most extreme, and therefore more insightful, forms. A proper understanding of phenomena such as black holes, quasars and extrasolar planets requires that we understand the physics that underlies all of astrophysics. Consequently, developing astrophysical concepts from fundamental physics has the potential to achieve two goals: to derive a better understanding of astrophysical phenomena from first principles and to illuminate the physics from which the astrophysics is developed. To that end, astrophysical topics are grouped according to the relevant areas of physics. The book is ideal as a text for graduate students and as a reference for established researchers. The author obtained his PhD in 1984 from the University of Toronto where he earned the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Gold Medal for academic excellence. After a brief postdoctoral stint at the University of British Columbia, he joined the faculty at the University of New Mexico where he pursued his interests in radio astronomy. He has been teaching for the past 17 years, earning an “excellence in teaching” award for the graduate courses on which this book is based. Dr. Duric has over 10