Astronomy is the field of science devoted to the study of astronomical objects, such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae. Astronomers have gathered a wealth of knowledge about the universe through hundreds of years of painstaking observations. These observations are interpreted by the use of physical and chemical laws familiar to mankind. These interpretations supply information about the nature of these astronomical objects, allowing for the deduction of their surface and interior conditions. The science associated with these interpretations is called astrophysics.
An Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics offers a comprehensive introduction to astronomy and astrophysics, complete with illustrative examples and illuminating homework problems. Requiring a familiarity with basic physics and mathematics, this undergraduate-level textbook:
- Addresses key physics concepts relevant to stellar observations, including radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, photometry, continuous and discrete spectrum, and spectral lines
- Describes instruments used for astronomical observations as well as how the radiation received is characterized and interpreted to determine the properties of stars
- Examines the structure of stars, the basic equations which explain stars in equilibrium, and the fusion reactions occurring in stellar cores
- Discusses the evolution of stars, the solar system, the dynamics of galaxies, and the fundamentals of modern cosmology
- Explores the universe at high redshifts, where it is dominated by objects such as active galaxies
Solutions manual and figure slides available with qualifying course adoption
An Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics teaches students how to interpret the night sky, providing them with a critical understanding of the stars and other heavenly bodies.
Introduction
Overview
Scales and Dimensions
Night Sky
Constellations
Earth, Sun, and the Solar System
Retrograde Motion of Planets
Sidereal Time
Astronomical Catalogs and Software
Observations
Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Telescopes
Refractor Telescope
Reflecting Telescope
Observations at Visible Frequencies
Theoretical Limit on Resolution
Seeing
Mounting of Telescope
Equatorial Mount
Azimuthal Mount
Interferometer
Observations at Other Wavelengths
Astrometry
Coordinate Systems
The Horizontal System
Equatorial Coordinate System
Ecliptic System
Galactic Coordinate System
Supergalactic Coordinate System
Space Velocity and Proper Motion of Stars
Doppler Effect
Parallax
Aberration
Coordinate Transformations
Transformation between Equatorial and Ecliptic Coordinate Systems
Precession of Equinoxes
Equatorial Mounting of a Telescope
Photometry
Introduction
Flux Density and Intensity
Blackbody Radiation
Energy Density in an Isotropic Radiation Field
Magnitude Scale
Apparent Magnitude
Absolute Magnitude
The Color Index
Bolometric Magnitude
Stellar Temperatures
Effective Temperature
Color Temperature
Appendix: Solid Angle
Gravitation and Kepler's Laws
Two-Body Problem
Application to Solar System
Virial Theorem
Tidal Forces and Roche Limit
Stars, Stellar Spectra, and Classification
Introduction
Stellar Spectra
Harvard Classification of Stellar Spectra
Saha Equation
Derivation of the Saha Equation
Number of States of a Free Particle in a Box
HR Diagram
Star Clusters and Associations
Distance and Age Determination of Clusters using Color-Magnitude Diagram
Radiation from Astronomical Sources
Continuous Spectra
Synchrotron Radiation
Bremsstrahlung
Compton Scattering
Bound-Free Transitions
Absorption and Emission Line Spectrum
Radial Velocity due to Doppler Effect
Causes of Finite Width of Spectral Lines
Molecular Band Spectra
Extinction
Extinction Coefficient
Color Excess
Stellar Structure
Pressure Gradient
Mass Distribution
Energy Production
Temperature Gradient
Radiative Transport
Convective Transport
Boundary Conditions
Rosseland Mean Opacity
Equation of State
Ideal Gas Law
Stellar Energy Sources
Appendix: Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
Stellar Nuclear Reactions
Fundamental Interactions
Fundamental Particles
A Brief Introduction to Neutrinos
PP Chain
Nuclear Reaction Rate
Nuclear Reaction Rate: Derivation
Nuclear Cross-Section
Estimating the Nuclear Reaction Rate
Energy Released in Nuclear Reactions
Standard Solar Model
Star Formation and Stellar Evolution
Early Stage of Star Formation
Fragmentation
Evolution on the Main Sequence
Degenerate Free Electron Gas
Evolution beyond the Main Sequence
Population I and II Stars
White Dwarfs
Neutron Star
Black Holes
Supernova
The Sun
Solar Atmosphere
Photosphere
Chromosphere
Corona
Dynamo Mechanism for Magnetic Field Enhancement
Sunspots and the Solar Cycle
Some Transient Phenomena
The Solar System
Orbital Properties of Planets
Retrograde Motion of Planets
Albedo and Temperature of Planets
Terrestrial Planets: Interior Structure
Jovian Planets
The Moon
Eclipses and Occultations
Why Did Pluto Lose Its Planetship?
Formation of the Solar System
Binary Stars
Kinematics of a Binary Star System
Classification of Binary Stars
Mass Determination
Mass Transfer in Binary Systems
The Milky Way
The Distance Ladder
Distribution of Matter in the Milky Way
Differential Rotation of the Milky Way
Mapping the Galactic Disk with Radio Waves
Formation of the Spiral Arms
Galaxies
Elliptical Galaxies
Spiral Galaxies
Evidence for Dark Matter
Galaxy Clusters
Cosmology
Euclidean Space
Curved Space
Minkowski Space-Time
Big Bang Cosmology
Cosmological Redshift and Hubble's Law
FRW Line Element
Matter and Radiation
Cosmological Evolution Equations
Accelerating Universe and Dark Energy
The Early Universe
Primordial Nucleosynthesis
Recombination
Structure Formation
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)
Active Galaxies
Introduction
Active Galactic Nuclei: Some Basic Properties
Size of AGNs
Luminosity
Superluminal Motion
Classification of Active Galaxies
Seyfert Galaxies
Radio Galaxies
Quasars
Blazars
Unified Description of AGNs
Appendix: Fundamental Constants and Conversion of Units
Index
Biography
Pankaj Jain obtained his doctoral degree from Syracuse University, New York, USA. He subsequently carried out postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA; West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA; University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA; and University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA. Dr. Jain is currently a professor in the Physics Department at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He is a theoretical physicist, whose chief interests are in high energy physics and cosmology. Presently, he is working on the models of dark energy and dark matter, cosmic microwave background radiation, observational tests of the cosmological principle, fundamental symmetries of nature, ultra-high energy cosmic rays, and strong interactions.
"Jain has produced a concise, calculus-based textbook aimed at majors in their sophomore or junior years. … ideas are laid out in logical order, and key concepts are explained. End-of-chapter assignments include derivations, calculations (with specific equations often recommended), and verifications. … useful as a review for someone already familiar with the material. This title features useful diagrams … . Recommended for upper-division students."
—CHOICE, December 2015
