Nucleosynthesis and Chemical Evolution of Galaxies
Nucleosynthesis and Chemical Evolution of Galaxies
The distribution of elements in the cosmos is the result of many processes, and it provides a powerful tool to study the Big Bang, the density of baryonic matter, nucleosynthesis and the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. Covering many exciting topics in astrophysics and cosmology, this textbook, by a pioneer of the field, provides a lucid and wide-ranging introduction to the interdisciplinary subject of galactic chemical evolution for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It is also an authoritative overview for researchers and professional scientists. This new edition includes results from recent space missions and new material on abundances from stellar populations, nebular analysis, and meteoric isotopic anomalies, and abundance analysis of X-ray gas. Simple derivations for key results are provided, together with problems and helpful solution hints, enabling the student to develop an understanding of results from numerical models and real observations.
- A lucid and wide-ranging introduction to the subject, written by a pioneer of the field
- New edition contains results from recent space missions including WMAP and FUSE, and new material on abundances from stellar populations, nebular analysis, and meteoric isotopic anomalies, and abundance analysis of X-ray gas
- Simple derivations for key results, together with problems and helpful solution hints, provide students with a better understanding of results from numerical models and real observations
Reviews & endorsements
From reviews of the first edition: 'Pagel covers all these aspects of nucleosynthesis and links them together to form a coherent picture of the way galaxies' compositions vary with time. For its stated purpose as a text book for graduate students, it is excellent.' C. R. Kitchin, Astronomy Now
'Each topic is explained from the ground up, giving the reader all the information needed to proceed further. The book manages to present (without losing scientific rigour) one of the most fascinating subjects of modern astrophysics.' Cesare Chiosi, Nature
'This is a good and useful book … The astrophysicist will find the astronomical lore enlightening, and the astronomer will find references to discussions of the underlying physics.' Physics Today
'… this is an excellent book - in fact, the best I know in this field. It provides an excellent introduction to more detailed review articles on specific topics, it contains a wealth of information, and it evidences an exceptionally broad and sound understanding of a key part of the formation and evolution of the universe.' Gerry Gilmore, Astronomy and Geophysics
'This book fills a gap in astrophysical literature … certainly helpful for any instructor who wishes to teach a one-semester course on these subjects, especially because the author has included many end-chapter problems with hints for their solutions … a conceptually very successful and useful book.' Mounib El Eid, Transport in Porous Media
Product details
No date availableAdobe eBook Reader
9780511500756
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Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Introduction and overview
- 2. Thermonuclear reactions
- 3. Cosmic abundances of elements and isotopes
- 4. Cosmological nucleosynthesis and abundances of light elements
- 5. Outline of stellar structure and evolution
- 6. Neutron capture processes
- 7. Galactic chemical evolution: basic concepts and issues
- 8. Some specific GCE models and related observational data
- 9. Origin and evolution of light elements
- 10. Radioactive cosmochronology
- 11. Chemical evolution in other sorts of galaxies
- 12. Cosmic chemical evolution and diffuse background radiation
- Appendices
- References
- Index.
