Stellar Structure and Evolution (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) - Softcover

Kippenhahn, Rudolf; Weigert, Alfred

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3540580131 ISBN 13: 9783540580133

Publisher: Springer, 1994

Synopsis

The attempt to understand the physics of the structure of stars and their change in time - their evolution - has been bothering many physicists and astronomers ever since the last century. This long chain of successful research is well documented not only by numerous papers in the corresponding journals but also by a series of books. Some of them are so excellently written that despite their age they can still be recommended, and not only as documents of the state of the art at that time. A few outstanding examples are the books of R. Emden (1907), A. S. Eddington (1926), S. Chandrasekhar (1939), and M. Schwarzschild (1958). But our science has rapidly expanded in the last few decades, and new aspects have emerged which could not even be anticipated, say, 30 years ago and which today have to be carefully explored. This does not mean, however, that our ambition is to present a complete account of the latest and most refined numerical results. This can well be left to the large and growing number of excellent review articles. The present book is intended rather to be a textbook that will help students and teachers to understand these results as far as possible and present them in a simple and clear manner. We know how difficult this is since we ourselves have tried for the largest part of our scientific career to understand "how the stars work" - and then to make others believe it.

About this title

Review

From the reviews
"... many excellent volumes on this subject have been written. In my opinion, this one is the best."
D.L. Faulkner in: Australian & New Zealand Physicist, 1995

"Will clearly be the standard text in the subject."
N.H. Baker, Columbia University

"Kippenhahn and Weigert's work compares favorably with the few similar works, many of which are now out of date. It is superior to some others in eschewing elegance of mathematical analysis in favor of a comprehensive understanding of the observed and deduced properties of stars, from their initial formation to their final collapse."
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Synopsis

This text gives a complete and comprehensive treatment of the physics of the stellar interior and the underlying fundamental processes and parameters. The models developed to explain the stability, dynamics and evolution of the stars are presented, and great care is taken to detail the various stages in a star's life. The authors have written a unique text based on their own pioneering work in stellar modeling.Since its publication, this textbook has come to be considered a classic by readers and teachers in astrophysics. This study edition is meant for students in astronomy and physics alike.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 3540580131
• ISBN 13: 9783540580133
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 484