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17000 results

Page 229 of 850

Dark Energy
  • Observational and Theoretical Approaches
  • Edited by Pilar Ruiz-Lapuente
  • Published online:
    05 July 2014
    Print publication:
    18 March 2010
  • 'Dark energy' is the name given to the unknown cause of the Universe's accelerating expansion, which is one of the most significant and surprising discoveries in recent cosmology. Understanding this enigmatic ingredient of the Universe and its gravitational effects is a very active, and growing, field of research. In this volume, twelve world-leading authorities on the subject present the basic theoretical models that could explain dark energy, and the observational and experimental techniques employed to measure it. Covering the topic from its origin, through recent developments, to its future perspectives, this book provides a complete and comprehensive introduction to dark energy for a range of readers. It is ideal for physics graduate students who have just entered the field and researchers seeking an authoritative reference on the topic.

The Dark Matter Problem
  • A Historical Perspective
  • Robert H. Sanders
  • Published online:
    05 July 2014
    Print publication:
    22 April 2010
  • Most astronomers and physicists now believe that the matter content of the Universe is dominated by dark matter: hypothetical particles which interact with normal matter primarily through the force of gravity. Though invisible to current direct detection methods, dark matter can explain a variety of astronomical observations. This book describes how this theory has developed over the past 75 years, and why it is now a central feature of extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Current attempts to directly detect dark matter locally are discussed, together with the implications for particle physics. The author comments on the sociology of these developments, demonstrating how and why scientists work and interact. Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), the leading alternative to this theory, is also presented. This fascinating overview will interest cosmologists, astronomers and particle physicists. Mathematics is kept to a minimum, so the book can be understood by non-specialists.

The High Energy Universe
  • Ultra-High Energy Events in Astrophysics and Cosmology
  • Péter Mészáros
  • Published online:
    05 July 2014
    Print publication:
    16 September 2010
  • In the last two decades, cosmology, particle physics, high energy astrophysics and gravitational physics have become increasingly interwoven. The intense activity taking place at the intersection of these disciplines is constantly progressing, with the advent of major cosmic ray, neutrino, gamma ray and gravitational wave observatories for studying cosmic sources, along with the construction of particle physics experiments using beams and signals of cosmic origin. This book provides an up-to-date overview of the recent advances and potential future developments in this area, discussing both the main theoretical ideas and experimental results. It conveys the challenges but also the excitement associated with this field. Written in a concise yet accessible style, explaining technical details with examples drawn from everyday life, it will be suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as other readers interested in the subject. Colour versions of a selection of the figures are available at www.cambridge.org/9780521517003.

Universe or Multiverse?
  • Edited by Bernard Carr
  • Published online:
    05 July 2014
    Print publication:
    21 June 2007
  • Recent developments in cosmology and particle physics, such as the string landscape picture, have led to the remarkable realization that our universe - rather than being unique - could be just one of many universes. The multiverse proposal helps to explain the origin of the universe and some of its observational features. Since the physical constants can be different in other universes, the fine-tunings which appear necessary for the emergence of life may also be explained. Nevertheless, many physicists remain uncomfortable with the multiverse proposal, since it is highly speculative and perhaps untestable. In this volume, a number of active and eminent researchers in the field - mainly cosmologists and particle physicists but also some philosophers - address these issues and describe recent developments. The articles represent the full spectrum of views, providing for the first time an overview of the subject. They are written at different academic levels, engaging lay-readers and researchers alike.

Electromagnetic Scattering by Particles and Particle Groups
  • An Introduction
  • Michael I. Mishchenko
  • Published online:
    05 July 2014
    Print publication:
    24 April 2014
  • This self-contained and accessible book provides a thorough introduction to the basic physical and mathematical principles required in studying the scattering and absorption of light and other electromagnetic radiation by particles and particle groups. For the first time the theories of electromagnetic scattering, radiative transfer, and weak localization are combined into a unified, consistent branch of physical optics directly based on the Maxwell equations. A particular focus is given to key aspects such as time and ensemble averaging at different scales, ergodicity, and the physical nature of measurements afforded by actual photopolarimeters. Featuring over 120 end-of-chapter exercises, with hints and solutions provided, this clear, one-stop resource is ideal for self-study or classroom use, and will be invaluable to both graduate students and researchers in remote sensing, physical and biomedical optics, optical communications, optical particle characterization, atmospheric physics and astrophysics.

The New Physics
  • For the Twenty-First Century
  • Edited by Gordon Fraser
  • Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    13 February 2006
  • Underpinning all the other branches of science, physics affects the way we live our lives, and ultimately how life itself functions. Recent scientific advances have led to dramatic reassessment of our understanding of the world around us, and made a significant impact on our lifestyle. In this book, leading international experts, including Nobel prize winners, explore the frontiers of modern physics, from the particles inside an atom to the stars that make up a galaxy, from nano-engineering and brain research to high-speed data networks. Revealing how physics plays a vital role in what we see around us, this book will fascinate scientists of all disciplines, and anyone wanting to know more about the world of physics today.

Celestial Mechanics
  • Harry Pollard
  • Published by:
    Mathematical Association of America
    Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    01 June 1976
  • The MAA is pleased to re-issue the early Carus Mathematical Monographs in ebook and print-on-demand formats. Readers with an interest in the history of the undergraduate curriculum or the history of a particular field will be rewarded by study of these very clear and approachable little volumes. This monograph presents the basic mathematics underlying the subject of celestial mechanics. Chapter 1 formulates the central force problem and then deals with Kepler's first and second laws, orbits under non-Newtonian attraction, elements of an orbit, the two-body system, the solar system, and disturbed motion. Chapter 2 introduces the n-body problem. Included in Chapter 2 are the Lagrange-Jacobi formula, Sundman's theorem on total collapse, the three-body problem, and Lagrange's and Euler's solutions to the three-body problem. Chapter 3 is an introduction to Hamilton-Jacobi Theory.

An Amateur's Guide to Observing and Imaging the Heavens
  • Ian Morison
  • Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    26 May 2014
  • An Amateur's Guide to Observing and Imaging the Heavens is a highly comprehensive guidebook that bridges the gap between the beginners' and hobbyists' books and the many specialised and subject-specific texts for more advanced amateur astronomers. Written by an experienced astronomer and educator, the book is a one-stop reference providing extensive information and advice about observing and imaging equipment, with detailed examples showing how best to use them. In addition to providing in-depth knowledge about every type of astronomical telescope and highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, two chapters offer advice on making visual observations of the Sun, Moon, planets, stars and galaxies. All types of modern astronomical imaging are covered, with step-by-step details given on the use of DSLRs and web-cams for solar, lunar and planetary imaging and the use of DSLRs and cooled CCD cameras for deep sky imaging.

Dynamics of Galaxies
  • 2nd edition
  • Giuseppe Bertin
  • Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    21 April 2014
  • Our understanding of galaxies, the building blocks of the Universe has advanced significantly in recent years. New observations from ground- and space-based telescopes, the discovery of dark matter, and new insights into its distribution have been instrumental in this. This textbook provides graduate students with a modern introduction to the gravitationally determined structure and evolution of galaxies. Readers will also benefit from detailed discussions of the issues involved in the process of modeling complex stellar systems. Additionally, the text provides an accessible framework for interpreting observations and devising new observational tests. Based on the author's extensive teaching experience, this second edition features an up-to-date view of basic phenomenology, a discussion of the structure of dark halos in galaxies, the dynamics of quasi-relaxed stellar systems and globular clusters, galaxies and gravitational lensing and an introduction to self-gravitating accretion disks. Extended problem sets are available from the accompanying resources website: www.cambridge.org/9781107000544.

A Student's Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy
  • Daniel Fleisch, Julia Kregenow
  • Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    29 August 2013
  • The study of astronomy offers an unlimited opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of our planet, the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy and the known Universe. Using the plain-language approach that has proven highly popular in Fleisch's other Student's Guides, this book is ideal for non-science majors taking introductory astronomy courses. The authors address topics that students find most troublesome, on subjects ranging from stars and light to gravity and black holes. Dozens of fully worked examples and over 150 exercises and homework problems help readers get to grips with the concepts in each chapter. An accompanying website features a host of supporting materials, including interactive solutions for every exercise and problem in the text and a series of video podcasts in which the authors explain the important concepts of every section of the book.

Astrophysics through Computation
  • With Mathematica® Support
  • Brian Koberlein, David Meisel
  • Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    28 June 2013
  • This new text surveys a series of fundamental problems in astrophysics, both analytically and computationally, for advanced students in physics and astrophysics. The contents are supported by more than 110 class-tested Mathematica® notebooks, allowing rigorous solutions to be explored in a visually engaging way. Topics covered include many classical and historically interesting problems, enabling students to appreciate the mathematical and scientific challenges that have been overcome in the subject's development. The text also shows the advantages and disadvantages of using analytical and computational methods. It will serve students, professionals and capable amateurs to master the quantitative details of modern astrophysics and the computational aspects of their research projects. Downloadable Mathematica® resources available at www.cambridge.org/koberlein.

Gravity
  • Newtonian, Post-Newtonian, Relativistic
  • Eric Poisson, Clifford M. Will
  • Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    29 May 2014
  • This textbook explores approximate solutions to general relativity and their consequences. It offers a unique presentation of Einstein's theory by developing powerful methods that can be applied to astrophysical systems. Beginning with a uniquely thorough treatment of Newtonian gravity, the book develops post-Newtonian and post-Minkowskian approximation methods to obtain weak-field solutions to the Einstein field equations. The book explores the motion of self-gravitating bodies, the physics of gravitational waves, and the impact of radiative losses on gravitating systems. It concludes with a brief overview of alternative theories of gravity. Ideal for graduate courses on general relativity and relativistic astrophysics, the book examines real-life applications, such as planetary motion around the Sun, the timing of binary pulsars, and gravitational waves emitted by binary black holes. Text boxes explore related topics and provide historical context, and over 100 exercises present challenging tests of the material covered in the main text.

  • 7 - Post-Minkowskian theory: Implementation

  • Eric Poisson, University of Guelph, Ontario, Clifford M. Will, University of Florida
  • Book:
    Gravity
    Published online:
    05 June 2014
    Print publication:
    29 May 2014, pp 328-370

  • Summary

    The theory was formulated in Chapter 6, and now we must get our hands dirty with its implementation. In this chapter we construct the second post-Minkowskian approximation to the metric of a curved spacetime produced by a bounded distribution of matter. For concreteness we choose the matter to consist of a perfect fluid. Our treatment allows the fluid to be of one piece (in the case of a single body), or broken up into a number of disconnected components (in the case of an N-body system).

    Although the post-Minkowskian approximation does not require slow motion, we shall nevertheless assume that the fluid is subjected to a slow-motion condition of the sort described in Sec. 6.3.2: if νc is a characteristic velocity within the fluid, we insist that νc/c ≪ 1. This amounts to incorporating a post-Newtonian expansion within the post-Minkowskian approximation. We do this for two reasons. First, our ultimate goal is to describe situations of astrophysical interest, and the virial theorem implies that U ~ ν2 for any gravitationally bound system; weak fields are naturally accompanied by slow motion. Second, any attempt to keep the velocities arbitrary in the post-Minkowskian expansion quickly leads to calculations that are unmanageable, and we prefer to avoid these complications here.

    We begin in Sec. 7.1 by assembling the required tools and exploring the general structure of the gravitational potentials in the near and wave zones.

Page 229 of 850