20 Best Books For Astrophysics (2023 Update)

Over a year on the new york times bestseller list and more than a million copies sold. the essential universe, from our most celebrated and beloved astrophysicist. what is the nature of space and time? how does the universe fit within us? there’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author neil degrasse tyson. but today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. so tyson brings the universe down to earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day. while you wait for your morning coffee to brew, for the bus, the train, or a plane to arrive, astrophysics for people in a hurry will reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the big bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

Neil degrasse tyson’s #1 new york times best-selling guide to the cosmos, adapted for young readers. from the basics of physics to big questions about the nature of space and time, celebrated astrophysicist and science communicator neil degrasse tyson breaks down the mysteries of the cosmos into bite-sized pieces. astrophysics for young people in a hurry describes the fundamental rules and unknowns of our universe clearly—and with tyson’s characteristic wit, there’s a lot of fun thrown in, too. this adaptation by gregory mone includes full-color photos, infographics, and extra explanations to make even the trickiest concepts accessible. building on the wonder inspired by outer space, astrophysics for young people in a hurry introduces an exciting field and the principles of scientific inquiry to young readers.

Astrophysics is the physics of the stars, and more widely the physics of the universe. it enables us to understand the structure and evolution of planetary systems, stars, galaxies, interstellar gas, and the cosmos as a whole. in this very short introduction, the leading astrophysicist james binney shows how the field of astrophysics has expanded rapidly in the past century, with vast quantities of data gathered by telescopes exploiting all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, combined with the rapid advance of computing power, which has allowed increasingly effective mathematical modelling. he illustrates how the application of fundamental principles of physics – the consideration of energy and mass, and momentum – and the two pillars of relativity and quantum mechanics, has provided insights into phenomena ranging from rapidly spinning millisecond pulsars to the collision of giant spiral galaxies. this is a clear, rigorous introduction to astrophysics for those keen to cut their teeth on a conceptual treatment involving some mathematics. about the series: the very short introductions series from oxford university press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. these pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable

The new york times bestselling tour of the cosmos from three of today's leading astrophysicistswelcome to the universe is a personal guided tour of the cosmos by three of today's leading astrophysicists. inspired by the enormously popular introductory astronomy course that neil degrasse tyson, michael a. richard gott taught together at princeton, this book covers it all—from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes, wormholes, and time travel.describing the latest discoveries in astrophysics, the informative and entertaining narrative propels you from our home solar system to the outermost frontiers of space. how do stars live and die? why did pluto lose its planetary status? what are the prospects of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? how did the universe begin? why is it expanding and why is its expansion accelerating? is our universe alone or part of an infinite multiverse? answering these and many other questions, the authors open your eyes to the wonders of the cosmos, sharing their knowledge of how the universe works.breathtaking in scope and stunningly illustrated throughout, welcome to the universe is for those who hunger for insights into our evolving universe that only world-class astrophysicists can provide.

The aim of this book is to teach undergraduate college or university students, and adults interested in astronomy and astrophysics, the basic mathematics and physics concepts needed to understand the evolution of the universe, and based on this to teach the astrophysical theories behind evolution from the very early times to the present. the book does not require extensive knowledge of mathematics, like calculus, and includes material that explains concepts such as velocity, acceleration, and force. based on this, fascinating topics such as dark matter, measuring dark energy via supernovae velocities, and the creation of mass via the higgs mechanism are explained. all college students with an interest in science, especially astronomy, without extensive mathematical backgrounds, should be able to use and learn from this book. adults interested in topics like dark energy, the higgs boson, and detection of gravitational waves, which are in the news, can make use of this book as well.

Provides a physics-centered analysis of a broad range of astronomical systems that appeals to a large audience of advanced undergraduate students in physics and engineeringthis book gives a survey of astrophysics at the advanced undergraduate level. it originates from a two-semester course sequence at rutgers university that is meant to appeal not only to astrophysics students but also more broadly to physics and engineering students. the organization is driven more by physics than by astronomy; in other words, topics are first developed in physics and then applied to astronomical systems that can be investigated, rather than the other way around. the first half of the book focuses on gravity. gravity is the dominant force in many astronomical systems, so a tremendous amount can be learned by studying gravity, motion and mass. the theme in this part of the book, as well as throughout astrophysics, is using motion to investigate mass. the goal of chapters 2-11 is to develop a progressively richer understanding of gravity as it applies to objects ranging from planets and moons to galaxies and the universe as a whole. the second half uses other aspects of physics to address one of the big questions. the goal of chapters 12-20 is to understand the physics behind the remarkable story of how the universe, earth and life were formed. this book assumes familiarity with vector calculus and introductory physics (mechanics, electromagnetism, gas physics and atomic physics); however, all of the physics topics are reviewed as they come up (and vital aspects of vector calculus are reviewed in the appendix).

This exciting new text opens the entire field of modern astrophysics to the reader by using only the basic tools of physics. designed for the junior- level astrophysics course, each topic is approached in the context of the major unresolved questions in astrophysics. the core chapters have been designed for a course in stellar structure and evolution, while the extended chapters provide additional coverage of the solar system, galactic structure, dynamics, evolution, and cosmology. * two versions of this text are available: an introduction to modern stellar astrophysics, (chapters 1-17), and an introduction to modern astrophysics, (chapters 1-28). * computer programs included with the text allow students to explore the physics of stars and galaxies. * in designing a curriculum, instructors can combine core and extended chapters with the optional advanced sections so as to meet their individual goals. * up-to-date coverage of current astrophysical discoveries are included. * this text emphasizes computational physics, including computer problems and on-line programs. * this text also includes a selection of over 500 problems. for additional information and computer codes to be used

Discover how to find constellations like the royal family group or those near orion the hunter from season to season throughout the yearhow to use the sea of crises as your guidepost for further explorations on the moon's surfaceinvestigate deep sky wonders, extra solar planets, and beyond as god's creation comes alive! think you know all there is to know about our solar system? you might be surprised at some of the amazing details that you find when you begin exploring the world of astronomy! from the rugged surface of the moon to the distant and mysterious constellations, this book provides an exciting educational tour for students of different ages and skill levels. learn about a blue moon, the 400-year storm on jupiter, and what is meant by "the zone of life." discussion ideas, questions, and research opportunities help expand this great resource on observational astronomy into an unforgettable educational course for middle school to high school students!

Presenting the latest exciting findings on space exploration and research and cutting-edge, spectacular views of the universe that technology is bringing back to earth, all in one ultimate reference book. aguilar of the harvard-smithsonian center for astrophysics, the national geographic space encyclopedia is ideal for the family bookshelf, providing both accessible information for school reports and compelling reading on the mysteries beyond our world.

A concrete, mid-level treatment, this readable and authoritative translation from the french provides an excellent guide to observational astrophysics. methods of research and observation receive as much attention as results. 1961 edition. a concrete, mid-level treatment, this readable and authoritative translation from the french provides an excellent guide to observational astrophysics. methods of research and observation receive as much attention as results. topics include stellar photometry and spectroscopy, classification and properties of normal stars, construction of hertzsprung- russell diagrams, yerkes two-dimensional classification, and much more. reprint of introduction a l'astrophysique: les etoiles, max leclerc et cie, 1961.

In this refreshingly clear book, brian greene, a leading string theorist, relates the scientific story and the human struggle behind the search for the ultimate theory. string theory, as the author vividly describes, reveals a vision of the universe that is sending shock waves through the world of physics. thrilling and revolutionary ideas such as new dimensions hidden within the fabric of space, black holes transmuting into elementary particles, rips and punctures in the space-time continuum, gigantic universes interchangeable with minuscule ones, and a wealth of others are playing a pivotal role as physicists use string theory to grapple with some of the deepest questions of the ages. with authority and grace, the elegant universe introduces us to the discoveries and the remaining mysteries, the exhilaration and the frustrations of those who relentlessly probe the ultimate nature of space, time, and matter.

This illustrated companion to the popular podcast and national geographic channel show is an eye-opening journey for anyone curious about our universe, space, astronomy and the complexities of the cosmos. for decades, beloved astrophysicist neil degrasse tyson has interpreted science with a combination of brainpower and charm that resonates with fans everywhere. this pioneering, provocative book brings together the best of startalk, his beloved podcast and television show devoted to solving the most confounding mysteries of earth, space, and what it means to be human. filled with brilliant sidebars, vivid photography, and unforgettable quotes from tyson and his brilliant cohort of science and entertainment luminaries, startalk will help answer all of your most pressing questions about our world–from how the brain works to the physics of comic book superheroes. fun, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny, this book is the perfect guide to everything you ever wanted to know about the universe–and beyond.

New york times bestseller an exploration of the age-old complicity between skywatchers and warfighters, from the best-selling author of astrophysics for people in a hurry. in this fascinating foray into the centuries-old relationship between science and military power, acclaimed astrophysicist neil degrasse tyson and writer-researcher avis lang examine how the methods and tools of astrophysics have been enlisted in the service of war. "the overlap is strong, and the knowledge flows in both directions," say the authors, because astrophysicists and military planners care about many of the same things: multi-spectral detection, ranging, tracking, imaging, high ground, nuclear fusion, and access to space. tyson and lang call it a "curiously complicit" alliance. "the universe is both the ultimate frontier and the highest of high grounds," they write. "shared by both space scientists and space warriors, it’s a laboratory for one and a battlefield for the other. the explorer wants to understand it; the soldier wants to dominate it. but without the right technology—which is more or less the same technology for both parties—nobody can get to it, operate in it, scrutinize it, dominate it, or use it to their advantage and someone else’s disadvantage." spanning early celestial navigation to satellite-enabled warfare, accessory to war is a richly researched and provocative examination of the intersection of science, technology, industry, and power that will introduce tyson’s millions of fans to yet another dimension of how the universe has shaped our lives and our world.

New york times bestseller the #1 bestselling author of the future of the mind traverses the frontiers of astrophysics, artificial intelligence, and technology to offer a stunning vision of man's future in space, from settling mars to traveling to distant galaxies. with irrepressible enthusiasm and a deep understanding of the cutting-edge research in space travel, world-renowned physicist and futurist dr. michio kaku presents a compelling vision of how humanity may develop a sustainable civilization in outer space. he reveals the developments in robotics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology that may allow us to terraform and build habitable cities on mars and beyond. he then journeys out of our solar system and discusses how new technologies such as nanoships, laser sails, and fusion rockets may actually make interstellar travel a possibility. ultimately, he shows us how humans may someday achieve a form of immortality and be able to leave our bodies entirely, laser porting to new havens in space.

The revised second edition of this established dictionary contains over 4,300 up-to-date entries covering all aspects of astronomy. compiled with the help of over 20 expert contributors under the editorship of renowned author and broadcaster ian ridpath, a dictionary of astronomy covers everything from space exploration and the equipment involved, to astrophysics, cosmology, and the concept of time. the dictionary also includes biographical entries on eminent astronomers, as well as worldwide coverage of observatories and telescopes. supplementary material is included in the appendices, such as tables of apollo lunar landing missions and the constellations, a table of planetary data, and numerous other tables and diagrams complement the entries. the entries have been fully revised and updated for this edition, and new entries have been added to reflect the recent developments within the field of astronomy, including magnetic reconnection, fornax cluster, luminosity density, and akatsuki. the content is enhanced by entry-level web links, which are listed and regularly updated on a companion website. a dictionary of astronomy is an invaluable reference source for students, professionals, amateur astronomers, and space enthusiasts.

Astrophysics the new edition of the popular textbook for undergraduate astronomers, covers the “how” of astrophysics – astrophysics: decoding the cosmos, second edition, describes how information about the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies is obtained and analyzed to gain a better understanding of the universe. this acclaimed introductory textbook makes the complex principles and theories underlying astrophysics accessible to students with basic knowledge of first-year calculus-based physics and introductory astronomy. reader-friendly chapters explore physical processes using relevant examples and clear explanations of how radiation and particles are analyzed. such analysis leads to the density, temperature, mass, and energy of astronomical objects. – in the time since the first publication of astrophysics, the power of telescopes has increased considerably. reflecting advancements in the field, this new edition includes carefully reviewed and updated material throughout, including recent gaia satellite results, new information from subatomic particles, neutrinos, and cosmic rays, and brand-new case studies on gamma-ray bursters, soft repeaters, fast radio bursts, exoplanets, and signals from exoplanetary atmospheres. retaining its focus on electromagnetic radiation, the second edition now covers more of the ways that information about the universe is acquired, such as particles, gravitational radiation, and meteoritics. this textbook:describes complex processes in a clear and accessible manner – provides relevant background information on the physics and examples of the theory in practice to place the subject into context – includes new figures, case studies, examples, further readings, end-of-chapter problems of varying difficulty levels, and open-ended “just for fun” problems – features a companion website containing information required to solve the designated web-based problems in the text and a range supplementary learning material – astrophysics: decoding the cosmos, second edition, is the ideal intermediate textbook for second- and third-year undergraduate students in astrophysics courses, as well as a useful resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students looking to refresh their knowledge in basic concepts.

Explore the curiosities of our galaxy with this comprehensive, digestible guide to astronomy! too often, textbooks obscure the beauty and wonder of outer space with tedious discourse that even galileo would oppose. astronomy 101 cuts out the boring details and lengthy explanations, and instead, gives you a lesson in astronomy that keeps you engaged as you discover what's hidden beyond our starry sky. from the big bang and nebulae to the milky way and sir isaac newton, this celestial primer is packed with hundreds of entertaining astronomy facts, charts, and photographs you won't be able to get anywhere else.

This 2003 book develops the basic underlying physics required for a fuller, richer understanding of the science of astrophysics and the important astronomical phenomena it describes. the cosmos manifests phenomena in which physics can appear in its most extreme, and therefore more insightful, forms. consequently, developing astrophysical concepts from fundamental physics has the potential to achieve two goals: to derive a better understanding of astrophysical phenomena from first principles and to illuminate the physics from which the astrophysics is developed. to that end, astrophysical topics are grouped according to the relevant areas of physics. the book is ideal as a text for graduate and advanced undergraduate students as well as a reference for established researchers.

Astronomy is the field of science devoted to the study of astronomical objects, such as stars, galaxies, and nebulae. astronomers have gathered a wealth of knowledge about the universe through hundreds of years of painstaking observations. these observations are interpreted by the use of physical and chemical laws familiar to mankind. these interpretations supply information about the nature of these astronomical objects, allowing for the deduction of their surface and interior conditions. the science associated with these interpretations is called astrophysics. an introduction to astronomy and astrophysics offers a comprehensive introduction to astronomy and astrophysics, complete with illustrative examples and illuminating homework problems. requiring a familiarity with basic physics and mathematics, this undergraduate-level textbook: addresses key physics concepts relevant to stellar observations, including radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, photometry, continuous and discrete spectrum, and spectral lines describes instruments used for astronomical observations as well as how the radiation received is characterized and interpreted to determine the properties of stars examines the structure of stars, the basic equations which explain stars in equilibrium, and the fusion reactions occurring in stellar cores discusses the evolution of stars, the solar system, the dynamics of galaxies, and the fundamentals of modern cosmology explores the universe at high redshifts, where it is dominated by objects such as active galaxies solutions manual and figure slides available with qualifying course adoption an introduction to astronomy and astrophysics teaches students how to interpret the night sky, providing them with a critical understanding of the stars and other heavenly bodies.

'our developing appreciation of the universe is a triumph of the intelligence, ingenuity and sheer hard work of the many scientists involved in this story. this book gives a clear picture of how this fascinating story has evolved over the last 500 years albeit which many scientifically literature readers will enjoy.' contemporary physicsthis book traces out the unfolding history of important discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics, and anchors our present understanding of the universe within the findings and personalities of accomplished astronomers. they have used telescopes and instruments to extend our vision to places that cannot be seen with the unaided eye, discovered a host of unanticipated objects, found out how various parts of the night sky are related, and discovered that the universe is larger, more complex, and older than has been previously thought. this comprehensive historical approach to the present state of astronomy is a unique aspect of the book.