Covering host systems of accreting, relativistic bodies, and the high-energy phenomena associated with them, this self-contained astrophysics textbook is ideal for advanced undergraduates. The textbook introduces students to a unique blend of astrophysical principles, including the evolutionary history of compact binary stars, the physics of accretion and accretion disc outbursts, the observed signatures of such discs in binary stars and active galactic nuclei, the X-ray emission of accreting compact bodies, and the physics of astrophysical jets and gamma-ray bursts. Worked examples, exercises with complete solutions, full-colour figures and informative chapter summaries guide students through their studies. Boxed equations and key facts highlight important points. Produced by academics drawing on decades of experience delivering courses for The Open University and concentrating on supported learning, this textbook is an ideal guide for self-study. Accompanying resources to this textbook are available at: http://www.cambridge.org/features/astrophysics.
- Introduces students to the astrophysical principles associated with the high-energy phenomena of accreting, relativistic bodies
- Worked examples, exercises with complete solutions and informative chapter summaries guide students through their studies
- Boxed equations and key facts highlight important points
Read more
Reviews & endorsements
'This is a very readable, well-written and beautifully illustrated account of some of the most exciting and energetic phenomena in the Universe. The treatment is aimed at the senior undergraduate level but the clarity of the text and the carefully worked examples and exercises make it accessible and interesting to a much wider audience. This book will be appreciated by everyone wishing to know about accreting binaries, active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts, from astronomy and physics undergraduates to research astrophysicists.' Juhan Frank, Louisiana State University
'This is in the best tradition of an Open University text, being self-contained, split into clearly defined sections with worked examples for each concept, and superbly illustrated. The clarity of the discussion is such that any of the chapters could be used in undergraduate courses on accretion, while the entire book gives a very complete survey of the field, making it especially suitable as an introduction for graduate students.' Chris Done, Durham University
See more reviews
Customer reviews

Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review

Log in to review

Review was not posted due to profanity
×

, create a review

(If you're not , sign out)

Please enter the right captcha value

Please enter a star rating.

Your review must be a minimum of 12 words.

How do you rate this item?

Reviews must contain at least 12 words about the product.

×

Product details
- Date Published: May 2010
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521187855
- length: 288 pages
- dimensions: 263 x 210 x 17 mm
- weight: 0.94kg
- contains: 60 colour illus. 50 exercises
- availability: In stock
Table of Contents
1. Accretion power
2. Formation and evolution of accretion-powered compact binaries
3. Steady-state accretion
4. Accretion disc outbursts
5. Indirect imaging of accreting systems
6. High-energy emission from compact accretors
7. Relativistic outflows
8. Gamma-ray bursts
Index.

General Resources

Find resources associated with this title

Back to resources home

Type	Name	Unlocked *	Format	Size

Showing of

This title is supported by one or more locked resources. Access to locked resources is granted exclusively by Cambridge University Press to lecturers whose faculty status has been verified. To gain access to locked resources, lecturers should sign in to or register for a Cambridge user account.

Please use locked resources responsibly and exercise your professional discretion when choosing how you share these materials with your students. Other lecturers may wish to use locked resources for assessment purposes and their usefulness is undermined when the source files (for example, solution manuals or test banks) are shared online or via social networks.

Supplementary resources are subject to copyright. Lecturers are permitted to view, print or download these resources for use in their teaching, but may not change them or use them for commercial gain.

If you are having problems accessing these resources please contact [email protected].

Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses
- Accretion Power and Radiation Processes
Author
Ulrich Kolb, The Open University, Milton Keynes
Ulrich Kolb is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Open University. He has authored numerous Open University teaching materials in physics and astronomy, chairs The Open University residential school course in practical astronomy, and directs The Open University's robotic telescope project. He has published numerous research papers on compact accreting systems.