Setting the Scene for Gaia and LAMOST (IAU S298)
Setting the Scene for Gaia and LAMOST (IAU S298)

Author: Sofia Feltzing

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2014-01-30

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781107045293

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Gaia is an ambitious satellite mission to chart a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way. By measuring the proper motions and parallaxes for a billion stars, Gaia is set to transform the way we study the composition, formation and evolution of our galaxy. Concurrently the LAMOST survey facility in China will make a complementary spectral survey of millions of objects in much of the northern sky. This volume, comprising the reviews and contributed talks presented at IAU Symposium 298, is an up-to-date review of what we know about the Milky Way as a galaxy prior to the launch of Gaia. It covers many topics including the status of dynamical simulations, photometric and spectroscopic surveys, and interstellar matter in the Milky Way, as well as detailed studies of stellar atmospheres. The expert reviews will interest all those working on Milky Way astronomy as well as galaxy formation and evolution.

Supernova Explosions
Supernova Explosions

Author: David Branch

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-08-02

Total Pages: 719

ISBN-13: 3662550547

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Targeting advanced students of astronomy and physics, as well as astronomers and physicists contemplating research on supernovae or related fields, David Branch and J. Craig Wheeler offer a modern account of the nature, causes and consequences of supernovae, as well as of issues that remain to be resolved. Owing especially to (1) the appearance of supernova 1987A in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud, (2) the spectacularly successful use of supernovae as distance indicators for cosmology, (3) the association of some supernovae with the enigmatic cosmic gamma-ray bursts, and (4) the discovery of a class of superluminous supernovae, the pace of supernova research has been increasing sharply. This monograph serves as a broad survey of modern supernova research and a guide to the current literature. The book’s emphasis is on the explosive phases of supernovae. Part 1 is devoted to a survey of the kinds of observations that inform us about supernovae, some basic interpretations of such data, and an overview of the evolution of stars that brings them to an explosive endpoint. Part 2 goes into more detail on core-collapse and superluminous events: which kinds of stars produce them, and how do they do it? Part 3 is concerned with the stellar progenitors and explosion mechanisms of thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernovae. Part 4 is about consequences of supernovae and some applications to astrophysics and cosmology. References are provided in sufficient number to help the reader enter the literature.

Astrophysics Is Easy!
Astrophysics Is Easy!

Author: Michael Inglis

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2014-12-04

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 3319116444

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Astrophysics is often –with some justification – regarded as incomprehensible without the use of higher mathematics. Consequently, many amateur astronomers miss out on some of the most fascinating aspects of the subject. Astrophysics Is Easy! cuts through the difficult mathematics and explains the basics of astrophysics in accessible terms. Using nothing more than plain arithmetic and simple examples, the workings of the universe are outlined in a straightforward yet detailed and easy-to-grasp manner. The original edition of the book was written over eight years ago, and in that time, advances in observational astronomy have led to new and significant changes to the theories of astrophysics. The new theories will be reflected in both the new and expanded chapters. A unique aspect of this book is that, for each topic under discussion, an observing list is included so that observers can actually see for themselves the concepts presented –stars of the spectral sequence, nebulae, galaxies, even black holes. The observing list has been revised and brought up-to-date in the Second Edition.

Thermonuclear Supernovae
Thermonuclear Supernovae

Author: P. Ruiz-Lapuente

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 920

ISBN-13: 9780792343592

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All theoretical and observational topics relevant to the understanding of the thermonuclear (Type Ia) supernova phenomenon are thoroughly and consistently reviewed by a panel including the foremost experts in the field. The book covers all aspects, ranging from the observations of SNe Ia at all stages and all wavelengths to the 2D and 3D modelling of thermonuclear flames in very dense plasmas. Scenarios for close binary evolution leading to SNe Ia are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the homogeneity vs. diversity of SNe Ia and on their use as standard candles to measure cosmological parameters. The book reflects the recent and very significant progress made in both the modelling of the explosions and in the observational field.

Astronomy with Radioactivities
Astronomy with Radioactivities

Author: Roland Diehl

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2010-10-02

Total Pages: 577

ISBN-13: 3642126979

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This book introduces the reader to the field of nuclear astrophysics, i.e. the acquisition and reading of measurements on unstable isotopes in different parts of the universe. The authors explain the role of radioactivities in astrophysics, discuss specific sources of cosmic isotopes and in which special regions they can be observed. More specifically, the authors address stars of different types, stellar explosions which terminate stellar evolutions, and other explosions triggered by mass transfers and instabilities in binary stars. They also address nuclear reactions and transport processes in interstellar space, in the contexts of cosmic rays and of chemical evolution. A special chapter is dedicated to the solar system which even provides material samples. The book also contains a description of key tools which astrophysicists employ in those particular studies and a glossary of key terms in astronomy with radioactivities.

Stardust
Stardust

Author: John Gribbin

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2009-08-27

Total Pages: 283

ISBN-13: 0141941308

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'Superb ... Gribbin has done it again ... the story of how the matter that makes up our bodies travelled from the stars ... a wonderful account' Sunday Times, Books of the Year Every one of us is made of stardust, John Gribbin explains in this dazzling book. Everything we see, touch, breathe and smell, nearly every molecule in our bodies, is the by-product of stars as they live and die in spectacular explosions, scattering material across the universe which is recycled to become part of us. It is only by understanding how stars are made and how they die that we can every understand how we came into being. Taking us on an enthralling journey, John Gribbin shows us the scientific breakthroughs in the quest for our origins. With the raw materials for creating life all around us, he concludes, it is impossible to believe we are alone in the universe. 'An incredible story ... gives a sense of the almost unbelievable coincidence of physical laws and circumstances that resulted in your being able to read these words today' Literary Review 'Gribbin skilfully and engagingly traces the historical sequence ... rather like Sherlock Holmes reading clues' New Scientist

Supernovae
Supernovae

Author: Paul Murdin

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1985-11-07

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 9780521300384

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This revised 1985 edition tells the story of supernovae, capturing the flavour of ancient astronomy.

Cosmic Catastrophes
Cosmic Catastrophes

Author: J. Craig Wheeler

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-01-04

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13: 1139462415

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From supernovae and gamma-ray bursts to the accelerating Universe, this is an exploration of the intellectual threads that lead to some of the most exciting ideas in modern astrophysics and cosmology. This fully updated second edition incorporates new material on binary stars, black holes, gamma-ray bursts, worm-holes, quantum gravity and string theory. It covers the origins of stars and their evolution, the mechanisms responsible for supernovae, and their progeny, neutron stars and black holes. It examines the theoretical ideas behind black holes and their manifestation in observational astronomy and presents neutron stars in all their variety known today. This book also covers the physics of the twentieth century, discussing quantum theory and Einstein's gravity, how these two theories collide, and the prospects for their reconciliation in the twenty-first century. This will be essential reading for undergraduate students in astronomy and astrophysics, and an excellent, accessible introduction for a wider audience.