This authoritative textbook - the second volume of a comprehensive three-volume course on theoretical astrophysics - deals with stellar physics. Designed to help graduate students and researchers develop an understanding of the key physical processes governing stars and stellar systems, it teaches the fundamentals, and then builds on them to give the reader an in-depth understanding of advanced topics. The book's modular design allows the chapters to be approached individually, yet seamless transitions create a coherent and connected whole. It can be used alone or in conjunction with Volume I, which covers a wide range of astrophysical processes, and the forthcoming Volume III, on galaxies and cosmology. After reviewing the key observational results and nomenclature used in stellar astronomy, the book develops a solid understanding of central concepts including stellar structure and evolution, the physics of stellar remnants, pulsars, binary stars, the sun and planetary systems, interstellar medium and globular clusters. Throughout, the reader's comprehension is developed and tested with more than seventy-five exercises. This indispensable volume provides graduate students with a self-contained introduction to stellar physics, and will allow them to master the material sufficiently to read and engage in research with heightened understanding.
- Modular in design, allowing the student or lecturer to pick and choose a selection of topics
- Develops each concept concisely and methodically, and then develops and tests the reader's understanding with nearly 100 carefully structured exercises
- Completely self contained and comprehensive - can be used alone, or in conjunction with the two companion volumes
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Reviews & endorsements
'… written with exceptional clarity … the hallmark of Padmanabhan's work … The mathematical derivations are elegant often starting from action principles, and readers may be enlightened by some which differ from standard approaches … it is a magnificent achievement and a superb book.' Alan Heavens, The Observatory
'… the book develops a solid understanding of central concepts including stellar structure and evolution, the physics of stellar remnants such as while dwarfs and black holes, pulsars, binary stars, the sun and planetary systems, interstellar medium and globular clusters … This indispensable volume provides graduate students with a self-contained introduction to stellar physics, and will allow them to master the material sufficiently to read and engage in research with heightened understanding.' Europe & Astronomy
'The book should not be missing in any astrophysical library.' Claudia-Veronika Meister, Zbl. MATH
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Product details
- Date Published: July 2001
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521566315
- length: 596 pages
- dimensions: 244 x 170 x 31 mm
- weight: 0.94kg
- contains: 112 b/w illus. 27 tables 76 exercises
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Overview: stars and stellar systems
2. Stellar structure
3. Stellar evolution
4. Supernova (Type II)
5. White dwarfs, neutron stars and blackholes
6. Pulsars
7. Binary stars and accretion
8. Sun and the solar system
9. Interstellar medium
10. Globular clusters
References
Index.
Look Inside
Instructors have used or reviewed this title for the following courses
- Introductory Astrophysics (two semester long)
Author
T. Padmanabhan, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, India