Imperial College Press Advanced Physics Texts - Vol. 2
ASTRONOMICAL SPECTROSCOPY
An Introduction to the Atomic and Molecular Physics of Astronomical Spectra
by Jonathan Tennyson (University College London, UK)
Nearly all the information we know about the Universe comes from the study of light as it reaches us. The understanding of this information contained in light requires both telescopes capable of resolving light into its different component colors, as well as detailed knowledge of the quantum mechanical behavior of atoms and molecules. This unique book, which is based on a third-year undergraduate course given by the author at University College London, presents the basic atomic and molecular physics necessary to understand and interpret astronomical spectra. It explains what information can be extracted from these spectra and how. Extensive use is made of contemporary astronomical spectral data to both motivate the study of the underlying atomic physics and to illustrate the results.
Contents:
- Why Record Spectra of Astronomical Objects?
- The Nature of Spectra
-
Atomic Hydrogen
- Complex Atoms
- Helium Spectra
- Alkali Atoms
- Spectra of Nebulae
- X-Ray Spectra
- Molecular Structure
- Molecular Spectra
Readership: Undergraduate and postgraduate students, instructors and
researchers.
“Jonathan Tennyson's Astronomical Spectroscopy is the most engaging introductory spectroscopy book I know of ... Without a doubt Astronomical Spectroscopy is the best book to read for anyone who is embarking on research in astronomical spectroscopy, as well as being the obvious text for an introductory course. It should certainly be on the shelves of every university and observatory library.”
| 204pp |
Pub. date: Jul 2005 |
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