Astrophysical Concepts (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) [Hardcover]

Martin Harwit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0387329439 | ISBN-13: 978-0387329437 | Edition: 4th

Now in its 4th edition, this classic text presents a quantitative understanding of a range of astrophysical concepts. Emphasizing physical concepts, the book outlines cosmic events but does not portray them in detail. Instead, it provides a series of astrophysical sketches showing how to obtain quantitative insights into the structure and evolution of stars, the dynamics of cosmic gases, the large-scale behavior of the universe, and the origins of life. Nearly every part of the text has been reconsidered and rewritten for the new edition; new sections cover recent developments, and the remainder has been revised and brought up to date.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Astronomer Harwit has finally updated his classic textbook to encompass the exciting developments of the decade since its last edition. It is ideal for those Scientific American readers who are mathematically literate and who want to pursue topics covered in the magazine to greater depth. Harwit takes a thematic approach to the subject, oriented around the guiding physical principles rather than the conventional sequence of planet, star, galaxy and cosmos. The approach rewards readers who just want to flip through the book as well as students who want to derive for themselves some of the basic equations in astronomy. Harwit also includes an idiosyncratic sampling of unorthodox topics such as faster-than-light particles, steady-state cosmology and panspermia. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

FROM REVIEWS OF THE PREVIOUS EDITION
"a clear, solid introduction to astrophysics ... that shows how physics can be applied to astronomical objects ... One of the strong points is the problems (that) give students a real feel for the sort of calculations astronomers must do ... were I teaching a junior/senior astrophysics course, this is the book I would use."
AM.J.PHYS.

"This is a popular book among professional astrophysicists, produced with that meticulous detail and completeness of the house of Springer … This is indeed a theoretician’s book [and] Harwit has made a prodigious effort in organizing all this information in a logical sequence … A masterly mathematical exposition of a galaxy of astrophysical processes." Astronomy

The great strength of the book lies in the lucidity and elegance with which chosen topics are quantitatively developed using elementary and clever arguments, instructive problems being distributed throughout, and in the skeptical spirit of inquiry that pervades the writing." NATURE

"Astronomer Harwit has finally updated his classic textbook to encompass the exciting developments of the decade since its last edition. It is ideal for those Scientific American readers who are mathematically literate and who want to pursue topics covered in the magazine to greater depth. Harwit takes a thematic approach to the subject, oriented around the guiding physical principles rather than the conventional sequence of planet, star, galaxy and cosmos. The approach rewards readers who just want to flip through the book as well as students who want to derive for themselves some of the basic equations in astronomy." SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 732 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 4th edition (September 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387329439
• ISBN-13: 978-0387329437
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and interesting, January 26, 2000

By 

"physics-r-us" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Astrophysical Concepts (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) (Hardcover)

I'm currently teaching a topics class on astrophysics to a collection of (mostly) senior level non-physics majors (engineers, math majors, computer scientists, etc) and had a lot of trouble trying to find an appropriate book. There are not many which are both (a) detailed, (b) broad, and (c) at the appropriate level. Most books for undergraduates are either too focused (i.e. on cosmology) or too elementary. Most of the comprehensive books are too advanced.

This book strikes a nice balance between mathematical sophistication and generality, but it can be a little difficult to read in places, particularly for someone without a strong physics background. Since my class consists mostly of interested, advanced, non-physics majors I didn't feel that the book meshed well with my class goals. However, the book did suit *me* very well and I'm using it extensively as a source of examples, additional problems and lecture preparation.

I selected "Modern Astrophysics" by Carroll and Ostlie as the class text because it was a little more wordy and explanitory and because the "astrophysical sketch" approach taken in Harwitt's book is fine for someone who has a strong background in physics (which is, after all, the intended audience) but not "user friendly" enough for advanced students from other fields.

It was a tough choice though - this is an excellent book.

1 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars too vague, October 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Astrophysical Concepts (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) (Hardcover)

too vague, its not bad...its alright