High Energy Astrophysics: Volume 1, Particles, Photons and their Detection (Paperback)

by Malcolm S. Longair (Author) "There has been a revolution in astronomy and astrophysics over the last 40 years..." (more)
Key Phrases: ionisation loss rate, encircled energy fraction, ionisation losses, Solar Wind, Solar System, Hubble Space Telescope (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...a remarkably entertaining and full treatment of a very challenging subject....The breadth of topics is amazing, covering mathematical derivations of the basic and complex interaction laws, advances in instruments and techniques, and wonderful surveys of the delightful history of each discipline covered. The reader should have at least two years of college-level math and physics to get the full benefit of the contents, but anyone with a deep curiosity about our universe would be able to browse through the book and find many extremely fascinating items to ponder and be amazed by." Steven Kilston, Science Books & Films

"...recommended for all readers who are interested in topics and results of contemporary high energy astrophysics and have some knowledge of physics and mathematics at the undergraduate level. Everyone, who will start to work in the field between theory and experiment, who will deal with the preparation, realization and interpretation of high energy experiments, cannot find a better introduction in this subject." Ulrich R.M.E. Geppert, Astrophysics and Space Science

Product Description
High energy astrophysics is one of the most exciting areas of contemporary astronomy, covering the most energetic phenomena in the universe. The highly acclaimed first edition of Professor Longair's book immediately established itself as an essential textbook on high energy astrophysics. In this complete revision, the subject matter has expanded to the point where two volumes are desirable. In the first, a thorough treatment is given of the physical processes that govern the behavior of particles in astrophysical environments such as interstellar gas, neutron stars, and black holes. Special emphasis is placed on how observations are made in high energy astrophysics and the limitations imposed on them. The tools of the astronomer and high energy astrophysicist are introduced in the context of specific astronomical problems. The material in Volume 1 leads to a study of all kinds of high energy phenomena in the galaxy and universe given in the second volume. This book assumes that readers have some knowledge of physics and mathematics at the undergraduate level, but no prior knowledge of astronomy is required. The pair of books covers all aspects of modern high energy astrophysics to the point where current research can be understood.

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (March 27, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521387736
• ISBN-13: 978-0521387736
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #532,368 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books about Cosmic Rays Astrophysics, November 8, 2001

By	Diego Casadei (NYU and CERN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The two volumes of "High Energy Astrophysics" by M.S. Longair are amongst my favourite books: I read them several times and every time I found interesting hints for my work. I'm waiting for the third volume for 3 years, but it's still missing from the bookshelf...
The first volume ("Particles, Photons and Their Detection") focuses on the interactions between high energy particles and matter, in order to help the reader to understand how detectors work. The theoretical approach is deep enough not to hide the "dirty" steps of the calculations, and some subsection requires good mathematical skills (well, not as much as for Russian books ;-).
The second volume ("Stars, the Galaxy and Interstellar Medium") focuses on the Physics of cosmic rays (CR) while they run through the Galaxy. The author takes the occasion to explain several very exciting items, from the proposed mechanisms of CR acceleration and high energy photons emission, to the diffusion through the interstellar medium and the Solar wind, untill the CR reach the Earth. Special emphasis is given to open problems -- only very few of them were solved in the meantime (Nov. 2001).
The 2 volumes are well suited for advanced students in Physics or Astronomy, and are a good reference for researchers.