Principles of astrophysics. Using gravity and stellar physics to explore the cosmos (Q382961)

This book provides an introduction to astrophysics at the advanced undergraduate level. It grew out of a two semester sequence of courses taught by the author at Rutgers University. The technical background needed to read this book is some basic physics to include classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetic theory, and from mathematics vector calculus and some introductory ordinary differential equations. The book is divided into two parts, each part corresponding to a one semester course. The primary focus of the first part is on gravity, and a main theme of this part of the book a study of how motion can be used to investigate mass. Chapters in the first part include the Gravitational one-body problem; Two-body problem; Three-body problem; \(n\)-body problem; Tidal forces; Extended mass distributions; Bending of light by gravity; Relativity; and Cosmology. Each of these chapters is the point of departure to study various astrophysical entities and phenomena. The second part of the book is entitled ``Using stellar physics to explore the cosmos''. Attention now shifts away from gravity to other aspects of physics used in the study of astronomical systems. The starting point is gas physics which includes thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics in this second part of the book include planetary atmospheres, planetary temperatures, stellar atmospheres, nuclear fusion, stellar structure and evolution, star and planet formation. The reader is introduced to many aspects of the development and evolution of our universe, and the book ends with a chapter on cosmology and the early universe. This book is an excellent introduction to astrophysics. It can be used as a text for courses on the subject. Problems are included at the end of each chapter with solutions in the back. Also, each chapter ends with a list of references for further study. However, this book can have an appeal that goes beyond the group of advanced undergraduate physics students for which it is primarily intended. This is because the book is written in a narrative style that makes it interesting and fun to read. Even if one does not have the required background in mathematics and physics to understand all the details one can still follow the narration and commentary that includes historical background. In so doing the reader can learn a great deal about a lot of fascinating astronomical objects and entities and trace the development of our universe back to its earliest inception. In the words of the author this book cannot answer the question ``Why are we here?'', but it goes a long way toward addressing the question ``How did we come to be here?''.