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Supernovae and Nucleosynthesis
This book investigates the question of how matter has evolved since its origin in the Big Bang, from the cosmological synthesis of hydrogen and helium to the generation of the complex set of nuclei that comprise our world and our selves. A central theme is the evolution of gravitationally contained thermonuclear reactors, otherwise known as stars. Our current understanding is presented systematically and quantitatively, by combining simple analytic models with new state-of-the-art computer simulations.
The narrative begins with the clues (primarily the solar system abundance pattern), the constraining physics (primarily nuclear and particle physics), and the thermonuclear burning in the Big Bang itself. It continues with a step-by-step description of how stars evolve by nuclear reactions, a critical investigation of supernova explosion mechanisms and the formation of neutron stars and of black holes, and an analysis of how such explosions appear to astronomers (illustrated by comparison with recent observations). It concludes with a synthesis of these ideas for galactic evolution, with implications for nucleosynthesis in the first generation of stars and for the solar system abundance pattern. Emphasis is given to questions that remain open, and to active research areas that bridge the disciplines of astronomy, cosmochemistry, physics, and planetary and space science. Extensive references are given.
The narrative begins with the clues (primarily the solar system abundance pattern), the constraining physics (primarily nuclear and particle physics), and the thermonuclear burning in the Big Bang itself. It continues with a step-by-step description of how stars evolve by nuclear reactions, a critical investigation of supernova explosion mechanisms and the formation of neutron stars and of black holes, and an analysis of how such explosions appear to astronomers (illustrated by comparison with recent observations). It concludes with a synthesis of these ideas for galactic evolution, with implications for nucleosynthesis in the first generation of stars and for the solar system abundance pattern. Emphasis is given to questions that remain open, and to active research areas that bridge the disciplines of astronomy, cosmochemistry, physics, and planetary and space science. Extensive references are given.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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May 15, 2009
Just read Arnett's letter in this month's Physics Today (with a deliciously crotchety Fred Hoyle story from Ken Croswell following it up), and was reminded to review this. Only did a heavy skim of this one (didn't look up references, didn't study tables, skipped swaths of math unless it was fundamental), but it definitely appears to be the new top dog regarding nucleosynthesis from Si-burning on, finally superseding that longstanding sui generis Principals of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis (well, perhaps supplanting is a better term -- cosmological and Population II light-element synthesis isn't really addressed here (nor, to be complete, spallation events), or at least a familiarity with it is assumed). (2009-05-15)
Amazon 2009-02-06. I feel the need...the need, for astrophysics!
Amazon 2009-02-06. I feel the need...the need, for astrophysics!
Displaying 1 of 1 review