Astrophysics Books

Book SynopsisWith ninety per cent of visible matter in the universe existing in the plasma state, an understanding of magnetohydrodynamics is essential for anyone looking to understand solar and astrophysical processes, from stars to accretion discs and galaxies; as well as laboratory applications focused on harnessing controlled fusion energy. This introduction to magnetohydrodynamics brings together the theory of plasma behavior with advanced topics including the applications of plasma physics to thermonuclear fusion and plasma- astrophysics. Topics covered include streaming and toroidal plasmas, nonlinear dynamics, modern computational techniques, incompressible plasma turbulence and extreme transonic and relativistic plasma flows. The numerical techniques needed to apply magnetohydrodynamics are explained, allowing the reader to move from theory to application and exploit the latest algorithmic advances. Bringing together two previous volumes: Principles of Magnetohydrodynamics and Advanced MagTable of ContentsPreface; Part I. Plasma Physics Preliminaries: 1. Introduction; 2. Elements of plasma physics; 3. 'Derivation' of the macroscopic equations; Part II. Basic Magnetohydrodynamics: 4. The MHD model; 5. Waves and characteristics; 6. Spectral theory; Part III. Standard Model Applications: 7. Waves and instabilities of inhomogeneous plasmas; 8. Magnetic structures and dynamics of the solar system; 9. Cylindrical plasmas; 10. Initial value problem and wave damping; 11. Resonant absorption and wave heating; Part IV. Flow and Dissipation: 12. Waves and instabilities of stationary plasmas; 13. Shear flow and rotation; 14. Resistive plasma dynamics; 15. Computational linear MHD; Part V. Toroidal Geometry: 16. Static equilibrium of toroidal plasmas; 17. Linear dynamics of static toroidal plasmas; 18. Linear dynamics of toroidal plasmas with flow; Part VI. Nonlinear Dynamics: 19. Turbulence in incompressible magneto-fluids; 20. Computational nonlinear MHD; 21. Transonic MHD flows and shocks; 22. Ideal MHD in special relativity; Appendices: A. Vectors and coordinates; B. Tables of physical quantities; References; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPlanetary nebulae, glowing shells of ionized gas, are the spectacular products of the evolution of low- and intermediate-mass stars. For astrophysicists, they are important laboratories for the understanding of atomic, molecular, dust, and plasma processes in different cosmic environments; they enable the exploration of the fundamental physics of single and binary star evolution including nucleosynthesis, rotation, mass transfer and loss, and magnetic fields; and they help trace stellar populations, the kinematics, and chemistry of galaxies including our own galaxy, the Milky Way. This volume reviews the current status of this vibrant research field in the form of invited reviews, contributed talks, and posters presented at the IAU Symposium 323. It should be of interest to researchers and advanced students interested in this field and in related fields, including stellar physics, the interstellar medium, and Galactic and extragalactic astronomy.Table of Contents1. A census of the post-AGB stars and PN populations; 2. PNe as a versatile laboratory I; 3. PNe as a versatile laboratory II; 4. From the AGB to the WD stellar phases; 5. The connection between binary evolution and PN phenomena; 6. PNe in nearby galaxies and chemical evolution; 7. PNe outside of the local group; 8. First results from Gaia and looking to the future; Poster presentations; Author index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver since their discovery in 1967, pulsars and neutron stars have provided an unprecedented opportunity to study the extremes of physics. This started with the very rapid identification of pulsars as rotating neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields and, selecting just a few highlights from the following decades, was followed by the discovery of the HulseTaylor binary, millisecond pulsars, the first pulsars in globular clusters, the pulsar planets and the double pulsar. In the last decade alone, we have made some amazing discoveries and observations with an impact across all areas of astronomy. With these proceedings of IAU Symposium 337, the 50th anniversary of the discovery of pulsars is celebrated by reflecting on what we have learned from these remarkable physical laboratories and by casting our eyes forward to the exciting opportunities they will provide for physical and astrophysical studies in the coming decades.Table of Contents1. Current and next generation pulsar surveys; 2. Gravity tests with pulsars; 3. Gravitational wave science with pulsar timing arrays; 4. Neutron star masses, 5. Glitches and equations of state; 6. The neutron star zoo; 7. The multi-messenger view of pulsars; 8. Pulsar emission physics across the electromagnetic spectrum; 9. Neutron star binaries; 10. Constraining the magneto-ionic properties of the ISM and local IGM using pulsars; 11. The future of pulsar research and facilities.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe cataclysmic stellar explosion Supernova 1987A, visible to the naked eye, was the nearest and brightest supernova witnessed since the invention of the telescope four centuries ago. This volume deals with supernovae and their remnants, in terms of exceptional phenomena that produce and release high-energy nuclei and particles. Marking the thirtieth anniversary of SN 1987A, the proceedings of IAU Symposium 331 introduce the accumulating knowledge on these central sources in many active fields of investigation: stellar evolution and the diversity of supernova progenitors and their properties, explosive nucleosynthesis and particle acceleration in the most extreme environments known to physics, and the long-standing issues about the origins of heavy nuclei in the Universe and of cosmic rays. Through its interdisciplinary approach, this volume also sheds light on the open issues related to these topics and emphasizes topics of future interest with upcoming multi-wavelength and multi-messTable of Contents1. Massive stars as supernova progenitors; 2. Supernova explosion mechanisms; 3. Supernovae as stellar explosive outcomes; 4. Supernova outcomes and impacts; 5. Particle acceleration and origin of cosmic rays; 6. SN 1987A, 30 years later; 7. Multi-wavelength/-messenger data on supernovae and supernova remnants.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAstronomers are at a crucial point in our understanding of the Milky Way. Deciphering the assembly history of our galaxy requires detailed mapping of the structure, dynamics, chemical composition, and age distribution of its stellar populations. In the last decade, astrometric, spectroscopic, photometric, and asteroseismic surveys have started to unveil the inner- and outermost regions of the Milky Way. IAU Symposium 334 explores the still open questions and focusses on the concepts emerging from the analysis of these large, new, and complex datasets. This volume presents a summary of these topics, including the current novel data and the challenges they already pose to modeling, before Gaia end-of-mission, PLATO, and large spectroscopic surveys such as WEAVE and 4MOST are about to start. Graduate students and researchers will learn that, in this golden era of galactic archaeology, we are about to rediscover our galaxy.Table of Contents1. Tracers of the oldest Milky Way fossil records and Halo Assembly; 2. Disentangling mixed populations in the central regions of the Milky Way; 3. Galactic disks – chemodynamical properties and models; 4. Towards ages: Gaia DR1, asteroseismology, and precise abundances; 5. Stellar evolution models and stellar yields; 6. Milky Way potential and disk dynamics; 7. Cosmological simulations of Milky-Way-like galaxies; 8. Challenges in data and modeling; 9. Future outlook.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe study of astrochemistry has become an important branch of modern astronomy and astrophysics. Molecules are key tools in exploring topics such as star and planet formation, the origin and evolution of interstellar dust grains, the structure of the interstellar medium in galaxies, and the origin of protogalaxies in the early Universe. This volume contains review papers alongside the latest results in the fast-growing discipline of astrochemistry, bringing together contributions from observers, modellers and laboratory astrochemists. It reports results from new observational facilities, such as the Herschel Space Observatory, ALMA, NOEMA, Rosetta and SOFIA, which are leading to new research areas such as the habitability of exoplanets, the origin of prebiotic chemistry and astrobiology. Interleaved with these observation results is the recent, ground-breaking work of physical chemists and numerical modellers, which provides the fundamental theoretical descriptions required to explain Table of ContentsOpening address; 1. Atoms and molecules at high redshifts; 2. Ultra-luminous extragalactic chemistry; 3. Observations of a hot molecular core in a low metallicity dwarf galaxy; 4. The ALMA view of UV-irradiated molecular cloud edges; 5. High-temperature chemistry in external galaxies; 6. Low metallicity ISM: physical properties of the gas and dust; 7. Fire from Ice – massive star birth from infrared dark clouds; 8. Tracing the evolution of massive protostars; 9. Chemical change in the disk forming region of IRAS 16293-2422 studied with ALMA; 10. A molecular outflow-prestellar core interaction in L1689N; 11. The excitation and emission spectrum of the hydrogen molecular ion; 12. The molecular inventory of diffuse clouds; 13. Barnard 1b; 14. Astrochemistry of light hydrides with SOFIA; 15. Theoretical approaches to surface chemistry; 16. Molecule and dust formation in late-type stars; 17. Dust formation at cryogenic temperatures; 18. Simulations of branched carbon-chain chemistry in star-forming regions; 19. The photochemical evolution of the interstellar PAH family; 20. Laboratory astrochemistry; 21. Exploring molecular complexity in the Galactic Center with ALMA; 22. Imaging the water snowline in protostellar envelopes; 23. Chemical tracers of dynamics in low-mass protostellar objects; 24. Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS); 25. Herschel observations of molecular emission lines in low- and intermediate-mass evolved stars; 26. Interstellar reaction screening via microwave spectral taxonomy; 27. Isotopic fractionation in interstellar molecules; 28. Insights into astrochemistry – highlights from the Rosetta mission; 29. On the origin of O2, N2, and other volatile species in comets; 30. ALMA observations of Titan's atmospheric chemistry and seasonal variation; 31. The chemical connection between 67P/C-G and IRAS16293; 32. Nitrogen fractionation in star-forming regions and primitive Solar System materials; 33. Spatially resolved organic chemistry in protoplanetary disks; 34. Unveiling the mid-plane temperature and mass distribution in the giant-planet formation zone; 35. Zooming in on the physics and chemistry of protoplanetary disks with ALMA; 36. Different dust and gas radial extents in protoplanetary disks; 37. ALMA detection of gas-phase methanol in a planet-forming disk; 38. Measuring gas masses and carbon depletion in young disks; 39. Dust in transition disks; 40. Nitrogen fractionation in protoplanetary disks from the H13CN/HC15N ratio; 41. Models of nitrogen isotope fractionation in protoplanetary disks; 42. Chemistry and evolution of the oldest white dwarf planetary systems; 43. What does the chemical composition of giant planets tells us about their formation?; 44. Chemical characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres; 45. JWST: the role of observing facilities in setting the agenda; 46. ALMA Band 1 and astrochemistry; 47. ALMA; 48. Processing of interstellar ices by soft X-rays and swift ions; 49. Laboratory measurements of methanol photolysis branching ratios to guide astrochemical models; 50. Acetaldehyde and carbonaceous dust; 51. Photodestruction of astrophysically relevant ice species; 52. Synchrotron X-ray irradiation of N-rich organics; 53. Gas phase studies of astrochemical importance; 54. Photochemistry and radiation chemistry of cosmic ice analogs of ammonia.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSeveral Epoch of Reionization (EoR) experiments, for example, LOFAR, MWA and PAPER, are currently under way and producing results. These very deep observations not only set constraints on when and where the first sources formed in the early Universe and began (re)ionizing the predominantly neutral all-pervasive intergalactic medium, but they also provide high-quality data for cutting edge auxiliary foreground science. Obviously studying the physical origin of the foreground emission, whether Galactic or extragalactic, is a very exciting field in its own right and is of fundamental importance for perfecting the foreground removal techniques in the cosmological experiments. These proceedings of IAU S333 address both topics through giving the clearest and widest possible view on the EoR; presenting the state-of-the-art foreground science; and discussing challenges of upcoming and planned radio facilities such as HERA and SKA.Table of Contents1. Cosmic dawn and Epoch of Reionization: theory and simulations; 2. Cosmic dawn and EoR: observations, challenges and first results; 3. Galactic foreground science; 4. Extragalactic foreground science; 5. The first stars/galaxies, EoR multi-frequency studies; 6. Foreground mitigation; Author index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisStars are mostly found in binary and multiple systems, with at least 50% of all solar-like stars having companions; this fraction approaches 100% for the most massive stars. A large proportion of these systems interact and alter the structure and evolution of their components, leading to exotic objects such as Algol variables, blue stragglers and other chemically peculiar stars, but also to phenomena such as non-spherical planetary nebulae, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. While it is understood that binaries play a critical role in the Initial Mass Function, the interactions among binary systems significantly affect the dynamical evolution of stellar clusters and galaxies. This interdisciplinary volume presents results from state-of-the-art models and observations aimed at studying the impact of binaries on stellar evolution in resolved and unresolved populations. Serving as a bridge between observational and theoretical astronomy, it is a comprehensive review for researchers and advaTrade Review'… the book as a whole is well in line with what one expects from CUP: the texts are well-written, and the illustrations clear. Every department and observatory needs a copy of this book. Every astrophysicist will find something of value.' Elizabeth Griffin, The ObservatoryTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. The zoo of binary stars Henri M. J. Boffin; 2. Statistics of binary and multiple stars M. Moe; 3. Gaia and LSST: their importance in binary star research L. Eyer, Nami Mowlavi, Isabelle Lecoeur-Taibi, Lorenzo Rimoldini, Berry Holl, Marc Audard, Simon Hodgkin, Dafydd W. Evans, Lukasz Wyrzykowsi, George Seabroke, Andrej Prša, and Dimitri Pourbaix; 4. Population synthesis of binary stars R. G. Izzard and G. M. Halabi; 5. Low- and intermediate-mass star evolution: open problems M. Salaris; 6. The symbiotic stars U. Munari; 7. Binary post-AGB stars as tracers of stellar evolution H. van Winckel; 8. The importance of binarity in the formation and evolution of planetary nebulae D. Jones; 9. Massive star evolution: binaries as two single stars C. Georgy and S. Ekström; 10. Binarity at high masses H. Sana; 11. Luminous blue variables: their formation and instability in the context of binary interactions A. Mehner; 12. Type Ia supernovae: where are they coming from and where will they lead us? F. Patat and N. Hallakoun; 13. Binary interactions and gamma-ray bursts N. R. Tanvir; 14. Binaries as sources of gravitational waves G. Nelemans; 15. The impact of binaries on the stellar initial mass function P. Kroupa and T. Jerabkova; 16. The formation of binary stars: insights from theory and observation C. J. Clarke; 17. The Maxwell's demon of star clusters M. Mapelli; 18. Alternative stellar evolution pathways R. D. Mathieu and E. M. Leiner; 19. Clocks and scales: playing with the physics of blue stragglers F. R. Ferraro and B. Lanzoni; 20. Binaries at very low metallicity S. Lucatello; 21. Population and spectral synthesis: it doesn't work without binaries J. J. Eldridge and E. R. Stanway.

Read more less

Book SynopsisProviding an up-to-date overview of research in the field of high-mass X-ray binaries, this volume consists of the contributions made at IAU Symposium 346. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it includes reviews on massive star winds and HMXB donors, Be Stars in the X-ray binary context, dynamical versus isolated formation channels of gravitational-wave sources, HMXBs as progenitors of double compact objects, HMXBs in the Early Universe and their impact in cosmology and gravitational wave astrophysics, as well as the summary review ''High Mass X-ray Binaries: Beacons in a Stormy Universe''. This Symposium provides a bridge between the relatively mature field of massive binary astrophysics and the newly emerging field of gravitational wave astronomy, indicating the future development of this growing branch of astrophysics. It is essential reading for graduate students and researchers who are looking to gain a general overview of current research activity on X-ray binaries.Table of ContentsPart I. Massive Stars; Part II. X-ray Binaries with Be-Type Donors; Part III. Supergiant HMXBs; Part IV. Accretion and Ulta-Luminous X-ray Sources (ULXs); Part V. Population in Galaxies and X-ray Luminosity Function; Part VI. High Energy and Early Universe; Part VII. HMXB and LMXB Evolution and their Links with Gravitational Wave Sources.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerseus provides an outstanding case study for the exploring the physics of relativistic plasma and thermal gas, and the interplay between galactic nuclei and galaxy clusters. Chapters deal with the latest results covering theory, observations, and numerical simulations, spanning a wide range in physical scales and energy ranges.Table of ContentsPreface; Editors; Participants; Black hole mass measurements in AGN: Polarization in broad emission lines; Fully analytical solutions for Bondi accretion in galaxies with a central Black; Modelling the polarised emission from black holes on event horizon-scales; Particle acceleration and the origin of the very high energy emission around black holes and relativistic jets; Numerical methods for general relativistic particles; On the prospects of imaging Sagittarius A* from space; The Hot Universe with XRISM and Athena; Low frequency observations of radio relics and halos; Probing the non-thermal emission in the Perseus cluster with the JVLA; High-dynamic-range 21 cm JVLA observations of the Perseus Cluster; A wide and collimated radio jet in 3C 84; Extragalactic relativistic jets; Inflow and outflow (Jets) in NGC 1275; Observations of nearby relativistic jets with EAVN and EATING VLBI; Molecular gas filamentary structures in galaxy clusters; Young radio jets breaking free: molecular and HI outflows in their centers; Ultrafast outflows, and their connection to accretion and ejection processes in AGNs; AGN feedback and the origin and fate of the hot gas in early-type galaxies; Numerical study of active galactic nucleus feedback in an elliptical galaxy with MACER; Prodigious and continuous formation of super star clusters from cooled intracluster gas; Characterizing the outburst of the supermassive black hole in M87; X-ray probing of NGC 1275 nuclear region with Hitomi, Swift, and Suzaku; Life-cycles and energetics of radio-loud AGN; Deep Chandra observations of the core of the Perseus cluster; Close-up view of an ongoing merger between the NGC 4839 group and the Coma cluster; Thermal and non-thermal connection in radio mini-halos; Perseus: a huge reservoir of dark matter investigated with MAGIC; The AGN dependence on cluster mass; AGN jets, bubbles, and heat pumps; Intermediate-mass black hole feedback in dwarf galaxies: a view from cosmological simulations; Gamma-ray emission in radio galaxies, from MeV to TeV; Search for QPOs in Perseus with Fermi LAT; High energy γ-ray variability of NGC 1275 and 3C 120; Young radio sources at high-energies and the γ-ray CSO PKS 1718−649; Exploring the radio and GeV-TeV γ-ray connection in the different blazar sub-classes; Neutrino and γ-ray emission from the core of NGC1275 by magnetic reconnection: GRMHD simulations and radiative transfer/particle calculations; Magnetic fields in the relativistic jets of active galactic nuclei; The correlation between the total jet power and the Poynting flux at the jet base; Why only a small fraction of quasars are radio loud?; Ratio of kinetic-to-bolometric luminosity at the 'cold' disk accretion onto black holes; Emission modelling of hydrodynamic AGN jet simulations; The wind production from black hole hot accretion flow; Radio-loud AGNs with peculiar shape of hard X-ray spectrum: figuring out the reasons; Expanding radio lobe associated with 3C 84; Chandra view on the active nucleus of CGCG292−057: Jet-ISM interactions; Preliminary analysis of the X-ray emission from the central regions of the Pictor; Flip of the jet head position of 3C 84 in 2015; AGN and star formation feedback in galaxy outflows; Update on the multi-frequency monitoring of blazars with Medicina and Noto; Hints of radio sources evolution; Bending of the pc scale jet in 3C84; Chandra early-type galaxy atlas; Probing the B-fields of AGN jets on kiloparsec scales – NGC 6251; External blob radiation model for the TeV gamma-ray emission in radio galaxies; A negative correlation between RUV and αOX in low-luminosity AGNs; A precessing and nutating jet in OJ287; A jet proper motion study in the early Universe; Evolution of the M• − σ relation; Simulations of the W50-SS433 system; Black hole demographics from TDE modeling; Multi-frequency monitoring of S5 0716+714; Survival of populat

Read more less