Pines, David
Written by: Shibata, Kazunari
Written by: Tajima, Toshi
Written by: Tajima, Toshiki
Written by: Pines, David
Published by: Westview Press
Location: Cambridge, Mass.
Subject: Physics
Subject: Astrophysics & Space Science
Subject: Astronomy
Subject: Plasma astrophysics.
Subject: Astronomy, General
Subject: General science
Series: Frontiers in Physics
Series Volume: 107-261v. 98
Date of Publication: February 2002
Cover Type: Paper Textbook
Written in: English
Illustrations: Yes
Number of Pages: 512
Book Size: 888x592x103 144
The twentieth century has witnessed the transformation of astronomy from celestial mechanics to astrophysics. While optical telescopes may have presented a peek into the structure of the constituents of the universe, such as stars and galaxies, new windows of observation have revealed far more amorphous objects, from nebulae and sheets to filaments and voids, whose "violent" processes include flares, shocks, accretion disks and jets. In these processes, plasma is often the constituent matter-- as well as the medium through which the astrophysical setting becomes so violent. In this graduate level text, Tajima and Shibata offer a new synthesis starting where classic works on plasma physics left off. Beginning with a view of plasma astrophysics through fundamental processes of quasi-magnetostatic equilibria, quasi-hydrostatic equilibria, and non-equilibria, the authors go on to develop unique approaches to violent astrophysical plasmas-- as opposed to the more quiescent laboratory variety-- and their processes. The text continues with an exploration of the fundamental processes in hydrostatic, magnetostatic, and gravitational objects. The final chapter is devoted to a discussion of the applications of plasma astrophysics to cosmology, anticipating future developments in this exciting field.This text will be of enormous use to graduate-- and some advanced undergraduate-- students, as well as to physicists entering the field of plasma physics.
Book News Annotation:
In this text, Tajima (physics and mathematics, U. of Texas) and
Shibata (astronomy, National Astonomical Observatory in Tokyo)
synthesize current information on plasma astrophysics, beginning with
a discussion of fundamental processes of quasi-magnetostatic,
quasi-hydrostatic, and non-equilibria. They then develop unique
approaches to violent astrophysical plasmas and their processes;
explore the basic operations of hydrostatic, magnetostatic, and
gravitational objects; and discuss applications of plasma
astrophysics to cosmology, looking forward to future developments in
the field. Appropriate for graduate students, advanced
undergraduates, and physicists entering the field.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Synopsis:
Graduate level textbook in advanced physics and astrophysics for courses that treats an overview of the relatively new field of plasma astrophysics, that includes space plasma physics, solar physics, especially studies of celestial objects, phenomena, and their evolution.
Synopsis:
The twentieth century has witnessed the transformation of astronomy from celestial mechanics to astrophysics. While optical telescopes may have presented a peek into the structure of the constituents of the universe, such as stars and galaxies, new windows of observation have revealed far more amorphous objects, from nebulae and sheets to filaments and voids, whose "violent" processes include flares, shocks, accretion disks and jets. In these processes, plasma is often the constituent matter — as well as the medium through which the astrophysical setting becomes so violent. In this graduate-level text, Tajima and Shibata offer a new synthesis starting where the classic works on plasma physics left off. This text will be of enormous use to graduate — and some advanced undergraduate — students, as well as to physicists entering the field of plasma physics.
