9780691125848
Written by: Maoz, Dan
Published by: Princeton University Press
Location: Princeton
Subject: Astrophysics & Space Science
Subject: Astrophysics
Subject: Physics
Subject: Astronomy and Cosmology
Subject: Mathematics
Copyright: 2007
Edition Description: Princeton
Series: In a Nutshell
Date of Publication: May 2007
Cover Type: Hardcover
Grade Level: College/higher education:
Written in: English
Illustrations: Yes
Number of Pages: 249
Book Size: 10 x 7 in
A concise but thorough introduction to the observational data and theoretical concepts underlying modern astronomy, Astrophysics in a Nutshell is designed for advanced undergraduate science majors taking a one-semester course. This well-balanced and up-to-date textbook covers the essentials of modern astrophysics, from stars to cosmology; emphasizing the common, familiar physical principles that govern astronomical phenomena, and the interplay between theory and observation.In addition to traditional topics such as stellar remnants, galaxies, and the interstellar medium, Astrophysics in a Nutshell introduces subjects at the forefront of modern research, including black holes, dark matter, gravitational lensing, and dark energy, all updated with some of the latest observational results. To aid physical understanding, mathematical derivations are kept as simple, short, and clear as possible, and order-of-magnitude estimates, dimensional analysis, and scaling arguments are frequently used. These no-nonsense, back-of-the-envelope calculations train students to think like physicists. The book is amply illustrated with simple, clear figures and each chapter ends with a set of problems.
In addition to serving as a course textbook, Astrophysics in a Nutshell is an ideal review for a qualifying exam and a handy reference for teachers and researchers. The most concise and up-to-date astrophysics textbook for science majors.
- Contains a broad and well-balanced choice of traditional subjects and current research topics
- Uses simple, short, and clear derivations of physical results
- Trains students in the essential skills of order-of-magnitude analysis
- Includes teaching problems with each chapter
Review:
is just that--a no-nonsense, fast-paced textbook that authoritatively covers the concepts underlying modern astronomy at an advanced undergraduate level. Dan Maoz does a remarkably good job of presenting the widest range of material that can be reasonably contained in a serious one-semester course. The book's scholarship is excellent and fully up to date, and I will certainly adopt it in my undergraduate class.
Review:
Despite the glut of introductory descriptive astronomy texts, there is a serious need for a one-semester introductory astronomy/astrophysics textbook that caters to mathematically literate students. This book fills that void and is a welcome addition on that count.
Review:
Dan Maoz's is perfect for an advanced astrophysics course for physical science majors. It covers modern topics from stars to galaxies and cosmology. I've already begun using problems from the book to test our first-year graduate students.
Review:
introduces the serious student to the tools, diversity, and power of modern astrophysical theory. In one panoramic volume, both text and reference, the author presents and applies essential concepts and equations, introducing the methods by which we seek to understand the inner workings of the cosmos. It will make a useful addition to the libraries of novice and pundit alike.
Review:
...Maoz makes generous and excellent use of back-of-the-envelope calculations and approximations to the more complete theory, accurate enough to both illustrate the physics and to arrive at decent numerical answers...Lots of material is squeezed into this thin volume. The treatment of stellar physics is particularly is particularly insightful; other topics--galaxies and galactic structure and cosmology, are also very well done.
Synopsis:
""Astrophysics in a Nutshell" is just that--a no-nonsense, fast-paced textbook that authoritatively covers the concepts underlying modern astronomy at an advanced undergraduate level. Dan Maoz does a remarkably good job of presenting the widest range of material that can be reasonably contained in a serious one-semester course. The book's scholarship is excellent and fully up to date, and I will certainly adopt it in my undergraduate class."--Greg Laughlin, University of California, Santa Cruz
"I have nothing but praise for this textbook. It is a significant contribution to a field that is short on introductions to astronomy for science majors. "Astrophysics in a Nutshell" fills a basic need, and I will give it a try in my course."--Lynne Hillenbrand, California Institute of Technology
"Despite the glut of introductory descriptive astronomy texts, there is a serious need for a one-semester introductory astronomy/astrophysics textbook that caters to mathematically literate students. This book fills that void and is a welcome addition on that count."--Ronald F. Webbink, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
