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This book explores and explains the structural evolution of galaxies, how we measure it, how these measurements change with time, and how observing this reveals important information about galaxy formation and evolution. It also explains the future of the field, including through the use of machine learning tools.

Over the past two decades, Python has become the de facto standard language of data science both in industry and astronomy (with the exception of simulations and other extreme scale computing problems). This course text is a full introduction to programming in Python with an explicit focus on astrophysical applications.

This book describes the nature, formation and evolution of accreting binaries, showing how extensive observations, accompanied by heavy simulations, allow astronomers to better understand the energetic phenomena occurring in these intriguing systems. Aimed at graduate students and researchers, this book provides an introduction to the topic, first describing the astrophysical basics of both single and binary stars, before moving on to detail the different types of accreting binary systems.

This book focuses on key multi-wavelength and multi-messenger studies in contemporary astronomical research. Examples include exciting areas such as colliding black holes and neutron stars, the discovery of planetary systems around stars other than our own, and the determination of the Hubble constant which sets the size and age scales of our Universe.

We are now living in the multimessenger era in which often weak and elusive astrophysical phenomena need to be studied using different and orthogonal probes and information carriers in order to be fully understood. This book is designed to give advanced undergraduate students a description of the most popular techniques and instrumentation employed in modern astrophysics. Focusing on electromagnetic radiation and its detection spanning from radio- to X-ray wavelengths, it gives a general description of astrophysical observables, such as flux, brightness, throughput, and magnitude. It describes general concepts about geometrical and physical optics at different wavelengths, in an astronomical context, including the concepts of lenses, mirrors, antennas, telescopes, the focal plane, angular resolution, the field of view, and the diffraction limit. The origin of noise and the extraction of a signal from it is also covered, including noise reduction techniques such as filtering, amplification, as well as cryogenic techniques. The theory of signals and the theorems related to digital electronics are also introduced. A set of student laboratory activities is included to illustrate the concepts covered in the book.Key FeaturesProvides a comprehensive introduction to modern astrophysical techniques and instrumentationCovers astronomical optics, telescopes, noise, the theory of signals and digital electronicsDescribes different receiving techniques such as coherent radiometers, semiconductor and superconductor thermal bolometers, charge-coupled devices (CCDs), and X-ray calorimetersIncludes a set of student laboratory activities to illustrate the concepts covered in the book

Astronomy has traditionally relied on capturing photons from cosmic sources to be able to understand the universe. During the 20th and 21st centuries, different messengers have been added to the astronomer's toolset: cosmic rays, neutrinos, and most recently gravitational waves. Each of these messengers opens a new window on the universe, and a modern astronomer must be familiar with them. The goal of this book is to provide a broad understanding of these messengers and their relationship to each other. The unique physics of each messenger is introduced, as well as the physics of their detection and interpretation. An additional focus is the discussion of techniques and topics that are common to more than one messenger. Principles of Multimessenger Astronomy is designed to be both an introduction and reference to modern astronomy.Key FeaturesProvides a general reference for all astronomers interested in multimessenger observational astronomy and astrophysics, as well as a teaching resourceExplores foundation topics that are useful across messenger and waveband boundariesIncludes scientific history, and the operation and use of modern astronomical instrumentationIntroduces the use of data from multiple messengers

This book is a compendium of key scientific questions, challenges, and opportunities across different areas of exoplanetary science. The field is currently experiencing rapid growth, and the book provides a front-row view of the advancements at the cutting-edge of the field. Each chapter contains a short exposition on the most important open questions, challenges, and opportunities in a specific area from the perspective of one or more top experts in the area. It provides a starting point for researchers, experts and non-experts alike, to obtain a quick overview of the forefront of exoplanetary science and a vision for the future of the field. Topics range from observational developments and techniques, including exoplanet detection and characterisation methods and state-of-the-art and future missions, to exoplanet theory and modelling including planet formation, planetary interiors, atmospheres, habitability and the search for life.Key FeaturesProvides a close-up view of the frontiers of exoplanetary science researchSummarises key questions, challenges, and opportunities across different areas of the fieldWritten by leading experts in the fieldProvides a valuable reference for early career researchersTopics span from state-of-the-art and emerging areas to long-term future directions

The last few decades have seen significant progress in our understanding of the occurrence of magnetic fields in stars with radiative envelopes, in particular in massive stars and in intermediate mass stars at early evolutionary stages. This book provides a comprehensive review of the most recent achievements in the measurements of stellar magnetic fields in O, B and A stars. These include the archetypes of stellar magnetism, the chemically peculiar Ap and Bp stars, O- and early B-type stars with their magnetospheres, accreting Herbig Ae/Be stars, Wolf-Rayet stars and high-mass X-ray binaries, among others. It provides an overview of the underlying physics for the interpretation of the data and identifies the requirements, both observational and theoretical, for improving our understanding of the origin of the magnetic fields in early-type stars. It aims to educate scientists working on stars, who are not yet experts in magnetic field studies, assuming that the reader is already familiar with basic terms and concepts of stellar astrophysics.Key FeaturesProvides a comprehensive review of the field for researchers and studentsGives an overview of the underlying physics for the interpretation of dataIdentifies requirements for understanding the origin of magnetic fields in early-type starsFirst research-level book on the topicWritten by experts in the field of stellar magnetism

This is the first book to lay the physical foundations of quantum cosmology, complete with an introduction to space-time physics, quantum theory, and the main approaches to quantum gravity. It is an essential guide for researchers in quantum gravity and astrophysicists interested in fundamental aspects of cosmology.

This book focuses on the practical implementation of evidence-based strategies that are supported by research literature. Chapter topics include an overview of learner-centered theories and strategies for course design and implementation, the use of Lecture Tutorials, the use of technology and simulations to support learner-centered teaching, the use of research-based projects, citizen science, World Wide Telescope and planetariums in instruction, and many other useful tools and methods.

Planets come in many different sizes, and with many different compositions, orbiting our Sun and countless other stars. Understanding their properties and interactions requires an understanding of a diverse set of sub-fields, including orbital and atmospheric dynamics, geology, geophysics, and chemistry. This textbook provides a physics-based tour of introductory planetary science concepts for undergraduate students majoring in astronomy, planetary science, or related fields. It shows how principles and equations learned in introductory physics classes can be applied to study many aspects of planets, including dynamics, surfaces, interiors, and atmospheres. It also includes chapters on the discovery and characterization of extrasolar planets, and the physics of planet formation.Key Features Covers a wide range of planetary science topics at an introductory levelCoherently links the fields of solar system science, exoplanetary science, and planet formationEach chapter includes homework questionsIncludes python templates for reproducing and customizing the figures in the book

This book is a practical guide for astronomy instructors who want to develop their first online course as well as those who want to add new tools to their existing courses. It explores online course design, integrating new and social media into online learning experiences, adaptive learning systems, massive open online classes (MOOCs), and the use of virtual worlds and virtual reality to teach astronomy.

How do astronomers know what they know about the stars and planets? That is the question behind today''s rapid pace of cosmic discovery, for every new finding rests upon a centuries-long foundation of astronomical practice. Introduction to Stars and Planets: An activities-based exploration reveals the methods by which Earthbound observers have deduced the physical attributes of celestial bodies, whether situated within our solar neighborhood or at the far ends of the galaxy. The book''s 28 mildly mathematical activities invite readers to carry out the essential work of the astronomer by utilizing real observational data sets and high-quality celestial photographs to establish the innate properties of a range of cosmic systems. Taken in sequence, these activities illustrate the epic advancement of stellar and planetary astronomy over the past century, up to the present day.Key FeaturesWide-ranging topical coverage of both historical and up-to-the-minute aspects of astronomical discoveryUses a learning-by-doing approachStructured, goal-oriented framework centered on the methods and physical principles by which astronomers study the universeProvides real-time educational feedback to studentsIntroduces elementary mathematics for students to gain a truer sense of the work astronomers do

Common envelope evolution is the most important phase in the lives of many significant classes of binary stars. During a common envelope phase, the stars temporarily share the same outer layers, with the cores of both stars orbiting inside the same common envelope. This common envelope is sometimes ejected and helps to explain the formation of a wide variety of astrophysical phenomena, including cataclysmic variables, X-ray binaries, progenitors for type Ia supernovae, and gravitational-wave mergers.Modeling common envelope evolution is a challenging problem, and this important process has typically been described in evolutionary models using very approximate treatments. This book explains the physics of common envelope evolution and relates it to the approximations that are frequently used for modeling the onset, progression, and outcome of common envelope phases.Key FeaturesThe first book dedicated to the topicWritten by world-leading experts in the fieldProvides a thorough overview of theoretical foundations and state-of-art numerical modelsSuitable for graduate students and researchers

Creating the Molecules of Life discusses origins, including the Big Bang, and the origin of the elements. With a complete presentation and explanation, this book provides evidence that the molecules of life are produced in outer space and how the SNAAP model purports to explain that origin. Extremophiles, which explains that evolution is robust enough to create life forms in a wide variety of conditions, is also presented. Readable for those at the upper undergraduate level, mathematics associated with coupling the nuclear spins to the molecular chirality is discussed. An accompanied appendix is provided to support mathematics.

Hubble Deep Field and the Distant Universe describes this watershed event in the history of astronomy. Aimed at an audience including amateur astronomers, science historians, researchers, Hubble Space Telescope aficionados and students interested in science, this book recounts the development of space astronomy, the progression of decisions and events that led to the distant universe exploration of Robert Williams and the Hubble Deep Field team, and it describes the momentous image that has enabled astronomers to piece together the evolution of the largest structures in the universe.

Gamma-ray bursts cover various areas of astronomy and interest in them reaches a wide range of fields. The science behind them is rapidly moving and this book examines the knowledge that we now have as well as the questions that are continually being raised. Predominantly aimed at PhD students and researchers in the area, Gamma-Ray Bursts addresses this fascinating topic and outlines the principles and initial applications of a fascinating astronomical phenomena.

The advent of charge-coupled devices and the subsequent implementation of ultrawide cameras for large imaging surveys has opened a new window for time-domain astronomy. In this book, our closest neighboring spiral galaxy - the Andromeda galaxy (M31) - is used as an example to walk readers through the ideas and techniques of time-domain analysis. This includes using image subtraction to obtain high quality time-series photometry, determining periods of variables using periodograms and classifying transients and variables based on the shapes of the light curves. It also highlights some science topics to showcase how we can use the time-domain data to shed light on the nature of the transient events and their progenitors.

Astrophysical Recipes: The art of AMUSE delves into the ways in which computational science and astrophysics are connected and how the bridge between observation and theory are understood. This book provides a unique outline of the basic principles of performing simulations for astrophysical phenomena, in order to better increase and understand these observations and theories.

Extragalactic Novae: A historical perspective takes the reader on a journey chronicling the study of a class of eruptive variable stars known as "Novae Stella", Latin for "New Stars". These mysterious transient objects, now referred to simply as novae, have been recognized since antiquity, suddenly appearing in the night sky before slowly fading back into obscurity. The book The book reviews observations of extragalactic novae beginning with a discussion of their role in the discovery that the spiral nebulae were galaxies similar to the Milky Way, up through their recent contributions to our understanding of close binary star formation across differing stellar populations.

Modeling and Analysis of Eclipsing Binary Stars provides a comprehensive review of the physical and observational aspects of eclipsing binaries, and the modeling code, PHOEBE (PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs), that is used by a large number of researchers in this field. Aimed at students, researchers and astronomers, this book is the foundation of knowledge for eclipsing binaries and their subsequent modeling.

Astrophysics of Red Supergiants is the first book of its kind devoted to our current knowledge of red supergiant stars, a key evolutionary phase that is critical to our larger understanding of massive stars. Red supergiants occupy a unique niche in massive stellar evolution as extremely large and cool stars, the progenitors of core-collapse supernovae, and potential probes of extragalactic stellar populations. As a result, these stars have enormous relevance to a broad range of current fields as well as the next generation of observing facilities.The book provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental physical properties of red supergiants, their evolution, and their extragalactic and cosmological applications. It serves as a reference for researchers from a broad range of fields (including stellar astrophysics, supernovae, and high-redshift galaxies) who are interested in red supergiants as extreme stages of stellar evolution, dust producers, supernova progenitors, extragalactic metallicity indicators, members of massive binaries and mergers, or simply as compelling objects in their own right. The book is accessible to a range of experience levels, from graduate students up to senior researchers.

Understanding Stellar Evolution is based on a series of graduate-level courses taught at the University of Washington since 2004, and is written for physics and astronomy students and for anyone with a physics background who is interested in stars. It describes the structure and evolution of stars, with emphasis on the basic physical principles and the interplay between the different processes inside stars. Based on these principles, the evolution of low- and high-mass stars is explained from their formation to their death.The physical effects described include nuclear reactions, energy transport, chemical mixing, pulsation, mass loss, and rotation. A short description of the evolution of interacting binaries is also included. Modern state-of-the-art evolution models that follow from these basic principles are compared with observations, providing a test for the understanding of the processes that occur inside stars. Where physical processes are complex, intuitive explanations are given in addition to the proper mathematical derivations, and simple figures are used to explain the key effects. In addition to homework exercises for each chapter, the text contains a large number of questions that are meant to stimulate the understanding of the physical principles. An extensive set of accompanying lecture slides is available for teachers in both Keynote® and PowerPoint® formats.