Astrofysik

The current theory for the early universe centers around the Standard Model's vision of fields, forces, and particles inexplicably popping into existence within the first second of the Big Bang. That conjecture has worked for many years and has inspired an edifice of theoretical support, but it stretches credulity and leaves too many unanswered questions.What if the initial nugget of energy did not instantaneously turn into particles but was left to expand and lose density? As it thinned, isolated density fluctuations would swirl and grow by accretion, eventually creating thick-density supermassive blackholes, light-density particles, and a thin-density medium of dark energy. The support for this seemingly wild hypothesis is in the observational evidence demonstrating that everything we know of in the universe, including fields, forces, matter, and time, naturally evolves from relationships between those three energy densities. This is the story of those relationships.That profound realization comes through in the Second Edition of A New Vision of the Early Universe. It's the culmina­tion of forty years of research and study by the author, Robert J. Conover. The depth of his research, attention to detail, clear prose, and philosophical approach to analyzing difficult issues conspire to make this a well-respected treatise. The work is supported by numerous citations, quotes, and observations from many leading physicists, cosmologists, and mathemati­cians.

The main theme of the book is the presentation of techniques used to identify chaotic behavior in the evolution of conservative mechanical systems and their application to astronomical systems. It results from graduate courses given by the author over the years both at university and at several international summer schools.Along the book surfaces of section, Lyapunov characteristic exponents, frequency maps, MEGNO, dense grid maps, etc., are presented and discussed in connection with the applications. The initial chapter is devoted to the presentation of the main ideas of the chaotic dynamics of conservative systems in plain language so that they can be accessible to a wide range of professionals and students of physical sciences. The applications are mainly related to the motions in the solar system and extrasolar planetary systems.Another chapter is devoted to the applications to asteroids showing how the asteroidal belt is sculpted by chaos and resonances. The contrasting existence of gaps in the distribution of the asteroids and groups of asteroids in resonances is thoroughly discussed. The interest in applications to planetary systems is growing since the discovery of systems of resonant planets around some stars of the solar neighborhood. Exoplanets added a lot of cases to a problem that was before restricted to the planets of our solar system. The book includes an account of results already existing about compact systems.

These Transactions provide a record of the organisational and administrative activities of the IAU XXX General Assembly, which took place in Vienna, Austria, in August 2018. They report and record all of the essential decisions taken by the governing body of the IAU. These include the approval of the financial accounts and of the proposed budget for the next three years, the admission of new national and individual members, the Divisions, Commissions, and Working Groups, the new Officers and Executive Committee, and the approval of Resolutions, as well as opening and closing ceremonies and other events. Focus Meetings are published in the 'Astronomy in Focus' series, and each of the six Symposia that took place has its own Proceedings. The world was forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after this General Assembly, contributing to the delay in this volume's publication.

This volume gives a comprehensive, up-to-date review of cosmic masers as presented at IAU Symposium 380, the sixth international maser symposium. It describes time-domain and multiwavelength studies of maser sources via large observing facilities and networks, and discusses ongoing and future projects relevant to maser science.

Welcome to the exciting world of particle physics! In this subchapter, we will delve into the fascinating topic of the Standard Model-a fundamental theory that has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Whether you are an enthusiast, a student, or simply curious about the wonders of the cosmos, this brief overview will provide you with a solid foundation to appreciate the intricacies of particle physics.The Standard Model is a remarkable framework that describes the fundamental building blocks of matter and their interactions. It encompasses three of the four fundamental forces of nature: electromagnetism, the weak nuclear force, and the strong nuclear force. This comprehensive theory has been meticulously developed over the course of several decades, combining the efforts of brilliant minds and countless experimental observations.At its core, the Standard Model consists of two main classes of particles: fermions and bosons. Fermions are the building blocks of matter and include particles such as quarks and leptons. Quarks are the constituents of protons and neutrons, while leptons include familiar particles like electrons and neutrinos. These fermions interact through the exchange of bosons, which are force-carrying particles. For instance, photons mediate electromagnetic interactions, while W and Z bosons are responsible for the weak nuclear force.One of the most intriguing aspects of the Standard Model is its prediction of the Higgs boson-a particle that gained substantial attention with the discovery at CERN's Large Hadron Collider in 2012. The Higgs boson is associated with the Higgs field, which permeates the universe and endows particles with mass. Its discovery was a significant milestone, confirming a key component of the Standard Model and shedding light on the origin of mass in the universe.While the Standard Model has been incredibly successful in explaining a vast array of experimental observations, it is not without its limitations. For example, it does not incorporate gravity, which is described by Einstein's general theory of relativity. Additionally, the existence of dark matter and dark energy remains unexplained within the framework of the Standard Model.

Cosmology's journey to the present day has been a long one. This book outlines the latest research on modern cosmology and related topics from world-class experts. Through it, readers will learn how multi-disciplinary approaches and technologies are used to search the unknown and how we arrived at the knowledge used and assumptions made by cosmologists today. The book is organized into four parts, each exploring a theme that has troubled humankind for centuries. Since the dawn of time, looking at the sky, humans have tried to understand their origin, the laws governing it, and what influence it all has on human life. In most ancient civilizations, astronomers embodied the power of knowledge. This knowledge was not compartmentalized, and scientists often found philosophical implications within their quests, many of which destroyed the borders between the natural sciences. Even now, as observers and scientists continue to use conjecture to generate theoretical assumptions and laws that then have to be confirmed experimentally, said theoretical and experimental searches are being linked to philosophical thinking and artistic representation, as they were up until the 18th century. This multi-disciplinary book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the fields of Astronomy, Cosmology or Physics.

This book presents novel observational evidence toward detecting and characterizing the products of massive, interacting binary stars. As a majority of massive stars are born in close binary systems, a large number of so-called massive binary interaction products are predicted to exist; however, few have been identified so far. Based on observations with the largest telescopes around the world, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, this book helps to remedy this situation. In her outstanding PhD-thesis Julia Bodensteiner identifies a new class of post-interaction binaries in a short-lived phase just briefly after the initially more massive star has been stripped of part of its envelope. She further provides new evidence for the Be phenomenon to largely result from binary interactions. These results represented a new and testable prediction for the evolution of these stars and opened up a new way forward for identifying hundreds of post-interaction products.Finally, using the MUSE integral field spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope in Chile, the author presents a novel spectroscopic campaign focusing on the 40 Myr-old star cluster NGC 330 in the Small Magellanic Clouds. Combined with photometric observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, the MUSE data allow to characterize the entire massive star population of NGC 330, revealing their multiplicity properties and rotational velocities and providing unique observational constraints on their (binary) evolution history. This is made possible by the developments of novel numerical methods allowing to extract star spectra from the MUSE integral field spectroscopic data and to characterize their properties by the simultaneous comparison of MUSE spectroscopy and Hubble photometry with atmospheric models.This book is a partly re-written version of the author's thesis offering a highly readable coherent text presenting not only new insights into the properties of binary interaction products but also giving students an excellent introduction into the field.

"This book introduces readers to the rich history and physics of galaxies, describing what we know about these systems as well as the mysteries we are still trying to solve"--

Early discoveries of JWST have revealed high-redshift galaxies that defy our expectations. These puzzles must be resolved through multi-wavelength observations, simulations and theoretical models. Offering an updated view of recent advances and current problems, IAU S377 is suitable for both graduate students and active researchers in the field.

If existing models of the structure of the universe are correct, then 85 percent of the cosmos comprises a substance called dark matter. Yet no direct evidence of dark matter exists. Award-winning science journalist Govert Schilling details the quest to detect dark matter and how the search has helped us to understand the universe we inhabit.

This book is dedicated to the theory of supernovae, focusing on new computational methods and simulations. It contains three parts: basic principles, numerical methods, and applications. The first part contains a non-formal introduction into the basics of supernovae, Boltzmann kinetic equations - with details of two particles reaction rate calculations - and the transformation of Boltzmann kinetic equations into hydrodynamic elements of statistical physics. It also contains the equation of state for matter of high energy density, with details of calculations for thermodynamic parameters, weak interactions, reaction rate details, and thermonuclear burning. The second part introduces elements of computational physics.The book closes with a presentation of original thought regarding the regime of burning in degenerate carbon-oxygen cores, a neutrino transport in Type II supernovae, a simulation of general relativity (GR) coalescence of neutron stars, aspherical nucleosynthesis in a core-collapse supernova, and thermalization in a pair of plasma winds from a compact strange star.This book brings together generally accepted simulations methods as well as original material written by two respected members of Russian research groups: the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics and Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics. It contains the necessary information for a person to start independent research in this fast-developing field, and is therefore an important read for new researchers in this subject.

Introductory Astrochemistry: From Inorganic to Life-Related Materials provides a detailed examination of the origins of planets, their satellites, and the conditions that led to life itself. Drawing on theories, experiments, observations, calculations, and analytical data from five distinct astrosciences, including astronomy, astrobiology, astrogeology, astrophysics, and astrochemistry, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the formation and evolution of our Solar System and applies it to other solar systems. The book begins with fundamental knowledge in the astrosciences, building upon understanding systematically up to the formation of the early Solar System. This book is an interdisciplinary reference for researchers and advanced students in astrogeology, astrophysics, astrochemistry, astrobiology, astronomy, and other space sciences, helping to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnections between these disciplines.

Line intensity mapping (LIM) is an observational technique that probes the large-scale structure of the Universe by collecting light from a wide field of the sky. This book demonstrates a novel analysis method for LIM using machine learning (ML) technologies. The author develops a conditional generative adversarial network that separates designated emission signals from sources at different epochs. It thus provides, for the first time, an efficient way to extract signals from LIM data with foreground noise. The method is complementary to conventional statistical methods such as cross-correlation analysis. When applied to three-dimensional LIM data with wavelength information, high reproducibility is achieved under realistic conditions. The book further investigates how the trained machine extracts the signals, and discusses the limitation of the ML methods. Lastly an application of the LIM data to a study of cosmic reionization is presented. This book benefits students and researchers who are interested in using machine learning to multi-dimensional data not only in astronomy but also in general applications.

Numerous times throughout Earth's history there have been major cataclysmic events. These events have resulted in large-scale climactic changes, mythological stories of floods and visitations from the skies, and sometimes the complete extinction of life. The major planetary body that has caused much of this carnage has been referred to by many names. Jason Breshears has termed it Phoenix, based on his research into the distant past and what it was usually called by witnesses. By piecing together ancient documents from the most reputable sources available, we have, in this book, the most extensive and accurate rendering of the cycle of the Phoenix, including when it will come again. Some of us, according to the author, will live to see its return. Beyond the foundational scientific evidence, the author ties in various Bible prophecies that relate directly to it. Many books exist on this subject, but few have broken new ground like this one, due to the extensive research involved.

This thesis addresses the feasibility of the production of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in starburst galaxies and active galactic nuclei. These astrophysical objects were theoretically proposed as candidate sources a long time ago. Nevertheless, the interest in them has been recently renewed due to the observational data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory and the Telescope Array. In this work, a comprehensive review of the current status of the research on cosmic rays accelerators is provided, along with a summary of the principal concepts needed to connect these relativistic particles with electromagnetic and neutrino observations in the multi-messenger era. On one hand, the hypothesis of accelerating particles with energies above 10' eV in starburst superwinds is carefully revisited, taking into account the constraints imposed by the most recent electromagnetic observations. On the other hand, an alternative new model for the gamma emission of the nearby active galaxy NGC 1068 is presented. The implications of the results of these studies are discussed in terms of the contemporary observatories and prospects for future experiments are offered.

In the vast cosmic expanse, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) shines as a beacon of human ingenuity and determination. Join author Anand Shinde on a celestial journey through the captivating history of ISRO, India's pioneering space agency. From its modest beginnings to the groundbreaking triumph of Chandrayaan-3, this book chronicles ISRO's evolution, technological breakthroughs, and remarkable missions that have left an indelible mark on the world.Explore the challenges and triumphs that define ISRO's journey, from launching its first satellite to conquering lunar and interplanetary missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan. Uncover how ISRO's contributions transcend the boundaries of Earth, revolutionizing communication, weather forecasting, agriculture, and disaster management, benefiting millions.As you traverse these pages, discover the tales of brilliance, dedication, and scientific curiosity that have made ISRO a source of immense pride for every Indian. Experience the celestial odyssey that reshaped India's destiny among the stars, inspiring generations to dream beyond the horizon and explore the wonders of the cosmos.

**AS SEEN ON BBC BREAKFAST**Will we ever truly understand our cosmic home? This is the story of the technologies that allow us to look up, to learn and to discover our place in the cosmos.'An electrifying new history of the universe' HANNAH FRY, author of Rutherford and Fry's Complete Guide to Absolutely EverythingWe are part of an incredible chain of events stretching 13.8 billion years into the past and even further into the future. But what does that future hold? And how do scientists study the entire universe?The Universe in a Box is Andrew Pontzen's tribute to simulations - the remarkable computer codes that, over the last century, have allowed us to grasp the distant past and far future of the universe. It reveals the stories of pioneering scientists who unlocked the mysteries of the cosmos, and reframes our understanding of galaxies, black holes and space itself.'I was enlightened, amazed, and profoundly impressed' SIR PHILIP PULLMAN, author of His Dark Materials'Compelling...a veritable treasure chest filled with captivating stories'SCIENCE

E=mc2: It may be Einstein s most well-known contribution to modern science, but how many people understand the thought process or physics behind this famous equation?In this collection of his seven most important essays on physics, Einstein guides his reader step-by-step through the many layers of scientific theory that formed a starting point for his discoveries. By both supporting and refuting the theories and scientific efforts of his predecessors, Einstein reveals in a clear voice the origins and meaning of such significant topics as physics and reality, the fundamentals of theoretical physics, the common language of science, the laws of science and of ethics, and an elementary derivation of the equivalence of mass and energy.This remarkable collection allows the general reader to understand not only the significance of Einstein s masterpiece, but also the brilliant mind behind it.This authorized Philosophical Library ebook features a new introduction by Neil Berger and an illustrated biography of Albert Einstein, which includes rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem."

'If you want to remember why you once fell in love with the idea of the cosmos, or want to fall in love with it for the first time, then this book is for you' ObserverFrom Carlo Rovelli, the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, this is a story of wonder, new worlds and why the end is just the beginningLet us journey into the heart of a black hole. Let us slip beyond its boundary, the horizon, and tumble - on and on - down this crack in the universe. As we plunge, we'll see geometry fold, we'll feel the equations draw tight around us. Eventually, we'll pass it: the remains of a star, deep and dense and falling further far. And then - the bottom. Where time and space end, and the white hole is born . . .With lightness and magic, here Carlo Rovelli traces the ongoing adventure of his own cutting-edge research, of the uncertainty and joy of going where we've not yet been. Guiding us to the edge of theory and experiment, he invites us to go beyond, to experience the fever and the disquiet of science. Here is the extraordinary life of a white hole.A BOOK OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO THE FINANCIAL TIMES * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH * NEW STATESMAN * NEW SCIENTIST

Astrophysics is a branch of space science, wherein the laws of physics and chemistry are applied in order to understand the universe and its components. Spectral line shape refers to the shape of a feature observed in spectroscopy that represents an energy change in an ion, atom or molecule. The shapes and widths of spectral lines are effective instruments for absorbing and emitting gas diagnostics in various astrophysical objects. The absorption and emission lines of astrophysical objects are formed in a variety of kinematical and physical circumstances and at a distance from the observer. Data on spectral lines and their profiles is crucial for modeling, diagnostics and analysis of laser development and design, fusion plasma, and plasma produced through laser. It is also important for various plasmas in technologies such as the piercing and welding of metals by laser-produced plasma and plasma based light sources. This book provides comprehensive insights into the theory of spectral line shapes in astrophysics. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the various roles and applications of spectral line shapes in astrophysics. This book is a vital tool for all researching and studying this area of astrophysics.

A dusty plasma (or complex plasma) is plasma containing nanometer or micrometer-sized particles suspended in it. Dust particles may accumulate into larger particles resulting in grain plasmas. They exhibit the unique property to form plasma crystals, as well as liquid and crystalline states. Dusty plasmas are observed in interplanetary space dust, comets, planetary rings, dusty surfaces in space, and aerosols in the atmosphere. Currently, dusty plasmas are being researched extensively due to the presence of particles that significantly alter the charged particle equilibrium leading to different phenomena. Electrostatic coupling between the grains can differ on a broad range so that the states of dusty plasma can convert from weakly coupled (gaseous) to crystalline. Such plasmas are of interest as non-Hamiltonian systems of interacting particles. They serve as a means to study generic fundamental physics of self-organization, pattern formation, phase transitions and scaling. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies on dusty plasma have been included in this book. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in this field.

Magnetosphere refers to that area of space around a planet that is controlled by that planet's magnetic field. It protects the Earth from certain types of radiation from the Sun. The inner magnetosphere is the region of magnetosphere that contains the plasmasphere, ring current, and the radiation belts all co-located within about 6.6 times of the Earth's radius. These belts are highly dynamic, increasing, and decreasing on time scales of minutes to years. A radiation belt refers to the zone of energetic charged particles that generally originates from the solar wind that is captured by and held around a planet by that planet's magnetosphere. Radiation belts are regions of enhanced populations of energetic electrons and protons surrounding the Earth in space. There are two radiation belts of Earth, the inner radiation belt and the outer radiation belt. This book outlines the dynamics of the Earth's radiation belts and inner magnetosphere in detail. It is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

"Splinters of Infinity is set in a paradigm-shattering era of physics and science, as a series of rapid-fire discoveries and new ideas completely upend humanity's conception of the universe. Among these revolutions, America's two foremost physicists, Robert Millikan and Arthur Compton, find themselves locked in an intense, often deeply personal, conflict about cosmic rays, one of the era's most fascinating and puzzling discoveries: cosmic rays seemed to promise a path into the deepest heart of science, a chance to answer questions that might just explain everything -- or reveal the mind of God"--

Albert Einstein knew already in the early 1900s, when he first published his famous paper about the constancy of the speed of light, that not only did this constancy imply that mass contains energy (E = m c squared), but that faster-than-light motion could lead to paradoxes -- some that seemed to involve backwards time travel.What are these paradoxes? Why is light and its speed relevant? This book will lead you through an obstacle course of conundrums and oddities, building up your understanding of how light's speed creates simple but mind-expanding paradoxes -- one conceptual riddle at a time.This is not your average popular science book. This is also not a textbook. This book takes one theme -- the universally constant speed of light -- and shows how it may appear compromised on scales from the quantum mechanics of the very small to the cosmology of the very large, and the resulting surprising implications can result.