Skip to content
Register Sign in Wishlist

Observational Molecular Astronomy
Exploring the Universe Using Molecular Line Emissions

£36.99

textbook

Part of Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers

  • Date Published: January 2014
  • availability: Available
  • format: Hardback
  • isbn: 9781107018167

£ 36.99
Hardback

Add to cart Add to wishlist

Other available formats:
eBook


Looking for an inspection copy?

This title is not currently available on inspection

Description
Product filter button
Description
Contents
Resources
Courses
About the Authors
  • Molecular line emissions offer researchers exciting opportunities to learn about the evolutionary state of the Milky Way and distant galaxies. This text provides a detailed introduction to molecular astrophysics and an array of useful techniques for observing astronomical phenomena at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths. After discussing the theoretical underpinnings of molecular observation, the authors catalogue suitable molecular tracers for many types of astronomical regions in local and distant parts of the Universe, including cold gas reservoirs primed for the formation of new stars, regions of active star formation, giant photon-dominated regions and near active galactic nuclei. Further chapters demonstrate how to obtain useful astronomical information from raw telescope data while providing recommendations for appropriate observing strategies. Replete with maps, charts and references for further reading, this handbook will suit research astronomers and graduate students interested in broadening their skill to take advantage of the new facilities now coming online.

    • This is the first book for astronomers who wish to use molecular emissions as a tool to explore the Universe
    • Describes how the structure and nature of unresolved galaxies can be addressed by identifying the molecular signatures of astronomical regions
    • Lists a variety of molecular tracers appropriate for different astrophysical conditions, and explains why different traces are required for different regions
    Read more

    Reviews & endorsements

    'This book is an excellent introduction to the field of molecular line astrophysics. Williams and Viti cover the range of astrophysical conditions that can be probed, and the most useful molecules and transitions. The expositions are lucid, and each chapter directs the reader to papers and books for further study, and to websites where up-to-date molecular data are available. Observational Molecular Astronomy will be a valuable guide to both graduate students and researchers.' Bruce T. Draine, Princeton University

    'This handbook provides everything needed to understand molecular astrochemistry - it will prove useful to both observers and theorists alike. It covers all of the topics a modern researcher needs to know in order to carry out observations of molecules in space, and then to reduce and analyse those observations. It also explains all aspects of molecular spectroscopy from choosing the correct molecule to observe, to calculating the physical parameters of the object being observed. All environments are discussed, from nearby clouds to distant galaxies. I am sure that this will become the must-have handbook for all researchers in this field, from new graduate students to seasoned veterans.' Derek Ward-Thompson, University of Central Lancashire

    'I would recommend that anyone embarking on a career in radio, microwave, or submillimetre astronomy and wondering what to do, why to do it, and how to do it, should own this book … it is a book that will not languish untouched on a bookshelf, but will be eagerly and often returned to and will become well thumbed.' The Observatory

    See more reviews

    Customer reviews

    Not yet reviewed

    Be the first 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?

    ×

    Product details

    • Date Published: January 2014
    • format: Hardback
    • isbn: 9781107018167
    • length: 184 pages
    • dimensions: 235 x 155 x 14 mm
    • weight: 0.48kg
    • contains: 41 b/w illus. 24 tables
    • availability: Available
  • Table of Contents

    Introduction
    1. Spectra and excitation of molecules
    2. Astrochemical processes
    3. Physical processes in different astronomical environments
    4. Molecular tracers in the Milky Way galaxy
    5. Molecular tracers in external galaxies
    6. The Early Universe and the first galaxies
    7. Recipes for molecular submillimetre astronomy
    8. Chemical and radiative transfer models
    9. Observations: which molecule, which transition?

  • Authors

    David A. Williams, University College London
    David A. Williams is the Emeritus Perren Professor of Astronomy at University College London. A former president of the Royal Astronomical Society (2000–2) and recipient of the RAS's Gold Medal (2009), he has led research groups in Manchester and London, and has co-authored a number of texts on astrophysics and astrochemistry. His research interests centre on astrochemistry and using molecular line emissions to describe and understand the evolution of astronomical regions.

    Serena Viti, University College London
    Serena Viti is a Professor of Astrophysics at University College London. She began her career working on the spectroscopy of very cool stars but soon became interested in star formation and astrochemistry. She is the secretary of the European Astronomical Society and she routinely serves on national and international scientific panels and committees.

Related Books

Sorry, this resource is locked

Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]

Register Sign in
Please note that this file is password protected. You will be asked to input your password on the next screen.

» Proceed

You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.

Continue ×

Continue ×

Continue ×
warning icon

Turn stock notifications on?

You must be signed in to your Cambridge account to turn product stock notifications on or off.

Sign in Create a Cambridge account arrow icon
×

Find content that relates to you

Join us online

This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Read more Close

Are you sure you want to delete your account?

This cannot be undone.

Cancel

Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.

If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.

×
Please fill in the required fields in your feedback submission.
×