The New Cosmos

by Unsold, Albrecht; Baschek, Bodo; Brewer, William D.

• ISBN13: 9783540678779
• ISBN10: 3540678778
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Astronomy, astrophysics and space research have witnessed an explosive development over the last few decades. The new observational potential offered by space stations and the availability of powerful and highly specialized computers have revealed novel aspects of the fascinating realm of galaxies, quasars, stars and planets. The present completely revised 5th edition of The New Cosmosprovides ample evidence of these dramatic developments. In a concise presentation, which assumes only a modest prior knowledge of mathematics and physics, the book gives a coherent introduction to the entire field of astronomy and astrophysics. At the same time it takes into account the art of observation and the fundamental ideas behind their interpretation. Like its predecessors, this edition of The New Cosmoswill provide new insight and enjoyment not only to students and researchers in the fields of astronomy, physics and earth sciences, but also to a wide range of interested amateurs.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(5)
I. Classical Astronomy and the Solar System	5	(92)
Humanity and the Stars: Observing and Thinking Historical Introduction to Classical Astronomy	6	(4)
Classical Astronomy
Spatial Coordinates and Time; the Motions of the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon	10	(10)
The Celestial Sphere and Astronomical Coordinate Systems	10	(2)
The Motions of the Earth. Seasons and the Zodiac	12	(3)
Time: Days, Years, and the Calendar	15	(2)
The Moon	17	(2)
Eclipses of the Sun and the Moon	19	(1)
Orbital Motions and Distances in the Solar System	20	(7)
Planetary Motions and Orbital Elements	20	(3)
Comets and Meteors	23	(2)
Distance Determination, the doppler Effect and Aberration of Light	25	(2)
Mechanics and Gravitational Theory	27	(6)
Newton's Laws of Motion	28	(1)
The Conservation of Linear Momentum	29	(1)
Conservation of Angular Momentum: the Area Theorem	29	(1)
Conservation of Energy	30	(1)
The Virial Theorem	31	(1)
The Law of Gravitation. Gravitational Energy	31	(2)
Celestial Mechanics	33	(5)
Kepler's First and Second Laws: Planetary Orbits	33	(1)
Kepler's Third Law: Determination of Masses	34	(1)
Conservation of Energy and the Escape Velocity	35	(1)
Rotation and the Moment of Inertia	35	(1)
Precession	36	(1)
The Tides	36	(1)
The Ptolemaic and the Copernican Worldviews	37	(1)
Space Research	38	(8)
The Orbits of Artificial Satellites and Space Vehicles	39	(1)
Astronomical Observations from Space	40	(2)
The Exploration of the Moon	42	(1)
Space Probe Missions in the Solar System	43	(3)
The Physical Structure of the Objects in the Solar System
Global Properties of the Planets and Their Satellites	46	(5)
Ways of Studying the Planets and Their Satellites	46	(2)
The Global Energy Balance of the Planets	48	(1)
Interior Structure and Stability	48	(2)
The Structures of Planetary Atmospheres	50	(1)
The Earth, the Moon, and the Earthlike Planets	51	(18)
The Internal Structures of the Earthlike Planets	52	(1)
Radioactive Dating. The Earth's History	53	(2)
Magnetic Fields. Plate Tectonics	55	(2)
The Lunar Surface	57	(3)
The Surfaces of the Earthlike Planets	60	(6)
The Atmospheres of the Earthlike Planets	66	(3)
Asteroids or Small Planets (Planetoids)	69	(3)
The Orbits of the Asteroids	70	(1)
Properties of the Asteroids	70	(2)
The Major Planets	72	(12)
Jupiter	72	(5)
Saturn	77	(3)
Uranus	80	(3)
Neptune	83	(1)
Pluto and the Transneptunian Small Planets	84	(3)
Pluto and Charon	85	(1)
The Transneptunian Small Planets	86	(1)
Comets	87	(2)
Structure, Spectra, and Chemical Composition	87	(2)
The Evolution of Comets	89	(1)
Meteors and Meteorites	89	(5)
Meteorites and Impact Craters	89	(1)
Meteors in the Earth's Atmosphere	90	(1)
Properties and Origins of Meteorites	91	(3)
Interplanetary Matter	94	(3)
II. Radiation, Instruments, and Observational Techniques	97	(64)
The Development of Astronomical Observation Methods Historical Introduction to Our Knowledge of the Electromagnetic Spectrum	98	(3)
Radiation and Matter
Electromagnetic Radiation	101	(1)
The Theory of Special Relativity	102	(2)
The Lorentz Transformation. The Doppler Effect	103	(1)
Relativistic Mechanics	103	(1)
The Theory of Radiation	104	(7)
Phenomenological Description of Radiation	104	(3)
Emission and Absorption. The Radiation Transport Equation	107	(2)
Thermodynamic Equilibrium and Black-Body Radiation	109	(2)
Matter in Thermodynamic Equilibrium	111	(3)
Boltzmann Statistics	111	(1)
The Velocity Distribution	112	(1)
Thermal Excitation	112	(1)
Thermal Ionization	112	(1)
The Law of Mass Action	113	(1)
The Interaction of Radiation with Matter	114	(9)
Mean Free Paths	114	(1)
Interaction Cross Section and Reaction Rate	114	(1)
Collision and Radiation Processes: Kinetic Equations	115	(1)
Elementary Atomic Processes	116	(3)
Extinction and Emission Coefficients	119	(1)
Energetic Photons and Particles	119	(4)
Astronomical and Astrophysical Instruments
Telescopes and Detectors for the Optical and the Ultraviolet Regions	123	(20)
Conventional Telescopes	123	(5)
Resolving Power and Light Gathering Power. Optical Interferometers	128	(3)
Adaptive and Active Optics. Large Telescopes	131	(4)
Optical Detectors	135	(3)
Spectrographs	138	(3)
Space Telescopes	141	(2)
Telescopes and Detectors for Radiofrequencies and the Infrared	143	(9)
Radiotelescopes and Spectrometers for the Radiofrequency Regions	149	(1)
Receivers and Spectrometers for the Radiofrequency Region	149	(1)
Observation Methods in the Infrared	150	(2)
Instruments for High-Energy Astronomy	152	(5)
Particle Detectors	152	(2)
Telescopes for Cosmic Radiation	154	(1)
Gamma-ray Telescopes	155	(2)
Instruments for X-rays and the Extreme Ultraviolet	157	(4)
Detectors and Spectrometers for the X-ray Region	158	(1)
Telescopes and Satellites for the X-ray Region	158	(2)
Telescopes for the Extreme Ultraviolet	160	(1)
III. The Sun and Stars: The Astrophysics of Individual Stars	161	(150)
Astronomy + Physics = Astrophysics Historical Introduction	162	(5)
The Distances and Fundamental Properties of the Stars
The Sun	167	(4)
The Spectrum of the Photosphere. Center-Limb Variation	168	(1)
The Energy Distribution	169	(1)
Luminosity and Effective Temperature	169	(2)
Distances and Velocities of the Stars	171	(3)
Trigonometric Parallaxes	171	(1)
Radial Velocities and Proper Motions	172	(1)
Stream Parallaxes	172	(1)
Star Positions and Catalogs	173	(1)
Magnitudes, Colors and Radii of the Stars	174	(6)
Apparent Magnitudes	174	(1)
Color Index and Energy Distribution	175	(3)
Absolute Magnitudes	178	(1)
Bolometric Magnitudes and Luminosities	178	(1)
Stellar Radii	179	(1)
Classification of the Stellar Spectra. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram	180	(6)
The Spectral Type	180	(1)
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Luminosity Classes	181	(2)
The MK Classification	183	(2)
Two-Color Diagrams	185	(1)
Rotation of the Stars	185	(1)
Binary Star Systems and the Masses of Stars	186	(9)
Visual Binary Stars	186	(1)
Spectroscopic Binary Stars and Eclipsing Variables	187	(1)
Periods and Rotation in Binary Systems	188	(1)
The Stellar Masses	188	(1)
Close Binary Star Systems	189	(1)
Pulsars in Binary Star Systems	190	(2)
Companions of Substellar Mass: Brown Dwarfs and Exoplanets	192	(3)
The Spectra and Atmospheres of Stars
Spectra and Atoms	195	(10)
Basic Concepts of Atomic Spectroscopy	195	(3)
Excitation and Ionization	198	(3)
Line Absorption Coefficients	201	(1)
Broadening of Spectral Lines	202	(2)
Remarks on Molecular Spectroscopy	204	(1)
The Physics of Stellar Atmospheres	205	(14)
The Structure of Stellar Atmospheres	205	(2)
Absorption Coefficients in Stellar Atmospheres	207	(2)
Model Atmospheres. The Spectral Energy Distribution	209	(2)
Radiation Transport in the Fraunhofer Lines	211	(2)
The Curve of Growth	213	(2)
Quantitative Analysis of Stellar Spectra	215	(1)
Element Abundances in the Sun and in Other Stars	216	(3)
The Sun: Its Chromosphere and Corona. Flow Fields, Magnetic Fields and Activity	219	(24)
Granulation and Convection	219	(1)
Magnetic Fields and Magnetohydrodynamics	220	(2)
Sunspots and the Activity Cycle. Magnetic Flux Tubes	222	(3)
The Chromosphere and the Corona	225	(6)
Prominences	231	(2)
Solar Eruptions or Flares	233	(3)
The Solar Wind	236	(4)
Oscillations: Helioseismology	240	(3)
Variable Stars Flow Fields, Magnetic Fields and Activity of the Stars	243	(28)
Pulsating Stars. R Coronae Borealis Stars	244	(3)
Magnetic or Spectrum Variables. Ap Stars and Metallic-Line Stars	247	(1)
Activity, Chromospheres, and Coronas of Cool Stars	248	(3)
Coronas, Stellar Winds and Variability of Hot Stars	251	(2)
Cataclysmic Variables: Novae and Dwarf Novae	253	(2)
X-ray Binary Systems: Accretion onto Neutron Stars	255	(4)
Supernovae and Pulsars	259	(7)
Stellar Gamma-ray Sources	266	(1)
Gamma Bursters	267	(4)
The Structure and Evolution of Stars
The Fundamental Equations of Stellar Structure	271	(10)
Hydrostatic Equilibrium and the Equation of State of Matter	271	(1)
Temperature Distribution and Energy Transport	272	(1)
Energy Production Through Nuclear Reactions	273	(4)
Gravitational Energy and Thermal Energy	277	(2)
Stability of the Stars	279	(1)
The System of Fundamental Equations and Their General Results	279	(2)
Stellar Evolution	281	(17)
Main Sequence Stars: Central Hydrogen Burning	281	(1)
The Internal Structure of the Sun. Solar Neutrinos	282	(3)
From Hydrogen to Helium Burning	285	(2)
Late Phases of Stellar Evolution	287	(4)
Nucleosynthesis in Stars	291	(3)
Close Binary Star Systems	294	(3)
The Physics of Accretion Disks	297	(1)
The Final Stages of Stellar Evolution	298	(5)
Brown Dwarfs	299	(1)
The Equation of State of Matter with Degenerate Electrons	299	(2)
The Structure of the White Dwarfs	301	(1)
Neutron Stars	301	(2)
Strong Gravitational Fields	303	(8)
The Theory of the General Relativity	303	(1)
Spherically Symmetric Fields in Vacuum	304	(1)
Light Deflection and Gravitational Lenses	305	(3)
Black Holes	308	(1)
Gravity Waves	308	(3)
IV. Stellar Systems. Cosmology and Cosmogony	311	(212)
The Advance into the Universe Historical Introduction to the Astronomy of the 20th Century	312	(6)
Star Clusters
Open Star Clusters and Stellar Associations	318	(4)
Open (Galactic) Star Clusters	318	(1)
Stellar Associations	319	(1)
Color-Magnitude Diagrams and the Age of Open Clusters	319	(3)
Globular Clusters	322	(8)
Globular Clusters in the Milky Way	322	(1)
Metal Abundances and Two-Color Diagrams	323	(1)
Color-Magnitude Diagrams and the Ages of the Globular Clusters	324	(2)
Globular Clusters in Other Galaxies	326	(4)
Interstellar Matter and Star Formation
Interstellar Dust	330	(5)
Dark Clouds	330	(1)
Interstellar Extinction and Reddening	330	(2)
Polarization of Starlight by Interstellar Dust	332	(1)
Properties of the Dust Grains	332	(2)
Diffuse Interstellar Absorption Bands	334	(1)
Neutral Interstellar Gas	335	(6)
Atomic Interstellar Absorption Lines	335	(2)
The 21 cm Line of Neutral Hydrogen. H I Clouds	337	(2)
Interstellar Molecular Lines. Molecular Clouds	339	(2)
Ionized Gas: Luminous Gaseous Nebulae	341	(13)
H II Regions	342	(4)
Planetary Nebulae	346	(1)
Supernova Remnants	347	(7)
Hot Interstellar Gas	354	(1)
High-Energy Components	354	(9)
Interstellar Magnetic Fields	355	(1)
Cosmic Radiation	355	(5)
Galactic Gamma Radiation	360	(3)
Early Evolution and Formation of the Stars	363	(14)
Pre-Main-Sequence Stars	364	(2)
Regions of Star Formation	366	(2)
Gravitational Instability and Fragmentation	368	(1)
The Evolution of Protostars	369	(2)
Matter Flows in the Vicinity of Protostars	371	(2)
Stellar Statistics and the Star Formation Rate	373	(4)
The Structure and Dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy
Stars and the Structure of the Milky Way	377	(4)
Galactic Coordinates	377	(1)
Star Gauging	377	(1)
Spatial Velocities of the Stars	378	(2)
Star Clusters: Distance Determinations and the Structure of the Milky Way	380	(1)
The Dynamics and Distribution of Matter	381	(14)
The Rotation of the Galactic Disk	382	(1)
The Distribution of the Interstellar Matter	383	(4)
The Galactic Orbits of the Stars. Local Mass Density	387	(2)
The Mass Distribution in the Milky Way Galaxy	389	(1)
The Dynamics of the Spiral Arms	390	(2)
Stellar Populations and Element Abundances	392	(3)
The Central Region of the Milky Way	395	(7)
The Galactic Bulge (R ≤3 kpc)	395	(1)
The Nuclear Region of the Galactic Bulge (R ≤300 pc)	396	(2)
The Circumnuclear Disk and the Minispiral (R ≤10 pc)	398	(1)
The Innermost Region (R ≤ 1 pc) and Sgr A*	399	(3)
Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies
Normal Galaxies	402	(20)
Distance Determination	402	(3)
Classification and Absolute Magnitudes	405	(4)
The Luminosity Function	409	(1)
Brightness Profiles and Diameters	410	(1)
Dynamics and Masses	411	(4)
Stellar Populations and Element Abundances	415	(3)
The Distribution of Gas and Dust	418	(4)
Infrared and Starburst Galaxies	422	(3)
Infrared Galaxies	423	(1)
Starburst Activity	424	(1)
Radio Galaxies, Quasars, and Activity in Galactic Nuclei	425	(21)
Synchrotron Radiation	425	(3)
The Non-thermal Radiofrequency Emissions of Normal Galaxies	428	(1)
Radio Galaxies	429	(5)
Quasars (Quasistellar Objects)	434	(7)
Seyfert Galaxies	441	(2)
Activity in Galactic Nuclei	443	(3)
Clusters and Superclusters of Galaxies	446	(9)
The Local Group	447	(1)
The Classification and the Masses of the Galaxy Clusters	448	(2)
The Gas in Galaxy Clusters	450	(2)
Interacting Galaxies. The Evolution of Galaxy Clusters	452	(1)
Superclusters of Galaxies	452	(3)
The Formation and Evolution of the Galaxies	455	(13)
The Formation of the Galaxies and the Clusters of Galaxies	455	(3)
The Intergalactic Medium and Lyman α Systems	458	(2)
Interacting Galaxies	460	(1)
Evolution of the Galaxies	461	(5)
Galaxies in the Early Universe	466	(2)
Cosmology: the Cosmos as a Whole
Models of the Universe	468	(7)
The Expanding Universe	468	(1)
Newtonian Cosmology	469	(2)
Relativistic Cosmology	471	(3)
The Matter Cosmos	474	(1)
Radiation and Observations. Element Synthesis in the Universe	475	(11)
The Propagation of Radiation	475	(2)
The Microwave Background Radiation	477	(2)
The Radiation Cosmos	479	(2)
Element Synthesis in the Universe	481	(1)
Observed Parameters of the Present-Day Universe	482	(3)
Olbers' Paradox	485	(1)
The Evolution of the Universe	486	(8)
The Planck Time	486	(1)
Elementary Particles and Fundamental Interactions	487	(2)
Cosmic Evolution According to the Standard Model	489	(2)
The Inflationary Universe	491	(1)
Other Cosmologies	492	(2)
The Cosmogony of the Solar System
The Formation of the Sun and of the Solar System	494	(11)
A Survey of the Solar System	494	(2)
The Protoplanetary Disk and the Formation of the Planets	496	(2)
The Origin of the Meteorites	498	(2)
The Formation of the Earth-Moon System	500	(3)
Planetary Systems Around Other Stars	503	(2)
The Evolution of the Earth and of Life	505	(12)
The Development of the Atmosphere and of the Oceans	505	(1)
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology	506	(3)
Prebiotic Molecules	509	(1)
The Development of Lifeforms	510	(7)
Appendix
A.1 Units: the International and the Gaussian Unit Systems	517	(4)
A.2 Names of the Constellations	521	(2)
Selected Exercises	523	(8)
Literature and Sources of Data	531	(6)
Acknowledgements	537	(6)
Subject Index	543
Fundamental Physical Constants (Inside back cover)
Astronomical Constants and Units (Inside back cover)