Description
Book SynopsisThis textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in astronomy aims to develop a physical understanding of the fundamental principles that dictate stellar properties. Focusing on key physical processes without going into encyclopedic depth, the authors explain the life cycle of stars in a broad contemporary context.
Trade Review'Pinsonneault and Ryden's book is a very welcome addition to the field of stellar evolution at a level appropriate to advanced undergraduate- or graduate-level study, since it manages to provide a clear, comprehensive overview of topics, without being intimidating in size or style. The textbook includes up-to-date results from contemporary missions such as Gaia and Kepler, with the final chapters discussing stellar rotation, pulsations, and binary evolution in depth. Most chapters include a few well-designed exercises, with a research-level reading list provided after the appendix. I would highly recommend it for Master's-level courses on stellar structure and evolution.' Paul Crowther, University of Sheffield
'This text is a welcome addition to the pantheon of monographs and textbooks explaining the physical basics of stellar structure and evolution. Aimed primarily at an audience learning the material for the first time, this text explains the phases of the life of a star through a clear application of physical principles. Weaving together classical fluids, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics, it enables students and their instructors to gain the physical intuition needed for the study of stars in this time of their observational renaissance.' Lars Bildsten, University of California, Santa Barbara
'This is a welcome addition to the literature, providing a comprehensive overview of stellar structure and evolution, and including insights from the latest data, techniques, and results.' William Chaplin, University of Birmingham
Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Properties of stars; 2. Equations of stellar structure; 3. Equations of state; 4. Stellar energy transport; 5. Stars as fusion reactors; 6. Main sequence stars; 7. Star formation: before the main sequence; 8. Evolved stars: after the main sequence; 9. Ex-stars; 10. Rotating stars; 11. Pulsating stars; 12. Binary stars; Appendices; Bibliography, references, and figure credits; Index.
