An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Second Edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the dramatic changes and advancements in astrophysics that have occurred over the past decade. The Second Edition of this market-leading book has been updated to include the latest results from relevant fields of astrophysics and advances in our theoretical understanding of astrophysical phenomena.

Designed for sophomore-level astrophysics for astronomy and physics majors, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is now offered in two derivative versions: Introduction to Modern Stellar Astrophysics, Second Edition and Introduction to Modern Galactic Astrophysics and Cosmology, Second Edition. The core text is geared for courses in stellar structure and evolution, while the briefer books provide additional coverage of the solar system, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, dynamics, evolution, and cosmology.

Features

• Fundamental physical concepts are presented early in the book to help students understand the development of ideas in later chapters.
• Each topic is approached in the context of major unresolved questions in astrophysics.
• A condensed overview of stellar astrophysics allows the reader to understand critical processes that affect galactic structure and evolution.
• Computer programs included with the text allow students to explore the physics of stars and galaxies.
• In designing a curriculum, instructors can combine core and extended chapters with the optional advanced sections so as to meet their individual goals.
• The text emphasizes computational physics, including computer problems and on-line programs. The book includes a selection of more than 500 problems.

New To This Edition

• Latest results from relevant fields of astrophysics are incorporated into the text and the figures.
• Every chapter has been revised with careful attention to the clarity of arguments and explanations.
• The text is now offered in two derivative versions to address the needs of courses that focus on galactic and extragalactic astronomy, and cosmology.
• New images have been carefully selected to reflect recent developments and discoveries in astrophysics.
• Line art has been redrawn for greater clarity.
• Additional problems have been added at the end of each chapter, and problems from the first edition have been revised and updated as appropriate.
• Supporting computer codes have been rewritten to improve readability and ease of use. The revised codes incorporate the latest computer language standards.
• The associated web site has been substantially revised and updated to support the textbook.
• The adopted system of units has been changed to SI from cgs units.
• The suggested readings have been updated to provide students with additional information on the latest developments in astrophysics.

I. The Tools of Astronomy

1. The Celestial Sphere
2. Celestial Mechanics
3. The Continuous Spectrum of Light
4. The Theory of Special Relativity
5. The Interaction of Light and Matter
6. Telescopes

II. The Nature of Stars

7. Binary Systems and Stellar Parameters
8. The Classification of Stellar Spectra
9. Stellar Atmospheres
10. The Interiors of Stars
11. The Sun
12. The Process of Star Formation
13. Post-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolution
14. Stellar Pulsation
15. Supernovae
16. The Degenerate Remnants of Stars
17. Black Holes
18. Close Binary Star Systems

III. Planetary Systems

19. Physical Processes in the Solar System
20. The Terrestrial Planets
21. The Jovian Worlds
22. Minor Bodies of the Solar System
23. The Formation of Planetary Systems

IV. Galaxies and the Universe

24. The Milky Way Galaxy
25. The Nature of Galaxies
26. Galactic Evolution
27. The Structure of the Universe
28. Active Galaxies
29. Cosmology
30. The Early Universe

Appendixes

A. Astronomical and Physical Constants
B. Unit Conversions Between SI and cgs
C. Solar System Data
D. The Constellations
E. The Brightest Stars
F. The Nearest Stars
G. Stellar Data
H. The Messier Catalog
I. Constants, A Constants Module for Fortran 95 (Available as a C++ header file)
J. Orbits, A Planetary Orbit Code (Available as Fortran 95 and C++ command line versions, and Windows GUI)
K. TwoStars, A Binary Star Code (Generates synthetic light and radial velocity curves; available as Fortran 95 and C++ command line versions, and Windows GUI)
L. StatStar, A Stellar Structure Code (Available as Fortran 95 and C++ command line versions, and Windows GUI)
M. StatStar, Stellar Models
N. Galaxy, A Tidal Interaction Code (Available as Java)
O. WMAP Data