Supernovae and Nucleosynthesis

An Investigation of the History of Matter, from the Big Bang to the Present
Erscheinungsjahr 1996
ISBN: 978-0-691-01147-9
Verlag: Princeton University Press

Buch, Englisch, 496 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 930 g

Reihe: Princeton Series in Astrophysics

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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Arnett, David

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Physik Angewandte Physik Astrophysik
• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Astrophysik
• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Kosmologie, Urknalltheorie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of FiguresList of TablesPreface1Introduction12Abundances of Nuclei43Some Aspects of Nuclear Physics484Nuclear Reaction Networks925Cosmological Nucleosynthesis1186Some Properties of Stars1467Hydrogen-Burning Stars1828Helium-Burning Stars2229Explosive Nucleosynthesis24910Neutrino-Cooled Stars28411Thermonuclear Explosions32412Gravitational Collapse38113Supernovae41414Galactic Evolution459App. A Solar System Abundances519App. B Equations of State532App. C Stellar Structure548App. D Supernova Light Curves558References573Index595