An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics

by Bradley W. Carroll, Dale A. Ostlie

This exciting new text opens the entire field of modern astrophysics to the reader by using only the basic tools of physics. Designed for the junior- level astrophysics course, each topic is approached in the context of the major unresolved questions in astrophysics. The core chapters have been designed for a course in stellar structure and evolution, while the extended chapters provide additional coverage of the solar system, galactic structure, dynamics, evolution, and cosmology. * Two versions of this text are available: An Introduction to Modern Stellar Astrophysics, (Chapters 1-17), and An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, (Chapters 1-28). * Computer programs included with the text allow students to explore the physics of stars and galaxies. * In designing a curriculum, instructors can combine core and extended chapters with the optional advanced sections so as to meet their individual goals. * Up-to-date coverage of current astrophysical discoveries are included. * This text emphasizes computational physics, including computer problems and on-line programs. * This text also includes a selection of over 500 problems. For additional information and computer codes to be used

Genres: Physics, Science, Textbooks, Astronomy, Nonfiction, Reference, Space

1326 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an introduction, Carroll & Ostlie's book is very fine. It's suitable for beginners, both in astrophysics and physics in general. The first few chapters deal entirely with topics that are (or at least are supposed to be) covered in any undergraduate program. Newtonian mechanics, Kepler's laws, blackbody radiation, special theory of relativity... And even later on, the authors do a good job of laying down the foundations (like the theory on waves and optics in chapter 6), which I applaud to. After all, the most important thing is to make the physics clear to the student.

However, as I'm already well acquainted with the aforementioned topics, I've only skimmed through that text. I have concentrated more on the chapters 6 and onwards. Although Carroll & Ostlie tackle a lot of subjects in the book, I still feel as if though the material isn't presented as clear as in some other textbooks (which I happen to hail because of the author's superior writing style). I know, perhaps it's unfair to nitpick at such a thing, given the fact that the authors have covered an absurd amount of topics... But that's the reason I'll give this book 4 stars.

[John Mcjohnnyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly ambitious. It strives to teach you just about the entirety of Modern Astrophysics in one comprehensive text. Any further pursuits would simply be delving into more detail of one of the topics covered. Therefore, it's the ideal reference book for anyone interested in the subject.

After surveying what's currently available and what's being used by professors, it's widely agreed to be the proper text to prepare you for a graduate pursuit of the subject.

For those reasons, I picked it up because I wanted the best book to teach myself Astrophysics. With a decent background in physics, and mathematical competency in the Calc III/DE area, I was able to follow along very well, and completed the book in about 4 months (but skipped many of the problems).

As a whole the book is supreme in content, organization, clarity, and level of detail considering the range of information it covers. My only complaint throughout (and primarily because I was studying it on my own) is that there are no solutions provided or available to the general public. Nevertheless, the problems are challenging and fun to think about. As you go through them and the chapters, Carroll & Ostlie will bring you to the brink of what's known in the areas being described, will be clear about what's still being dealt with in the field, and will leave you wanting to look into each of the current unresolved issues at a deeper level.

[Nathaniel Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thick book, and I was skeptical when I began reading it that the book would hold up in an internet age. When you can look up the weight of the moon on wolfram|alpha, what use is a textbook of this form?

But the strength of Carroll's An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics isn't in the raw data. It's in the full and comprehensive analysis of such an incredibly broad scope of material. The book is not only a great reference. If you read it cover to cover, you'll learn the answers to questions you never knew you had. There's both the depth of expertise and the scope necessary to converse on any topic. I'd recommend this book for anyone who needs or wants to hold conversations with astrophysicists.

[Jefferson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The standard, a/k/a "the big orange book". New 2nd edition (2007) -- I was told about 80% that what every professional astronomer knows (from meteoritics to cosmology) is included in this work (the other 20% is mostly what they specialize in). What other field or book can say that? Now, obviously, it became outdated somewhat even before it went to press (which is why no one writes astronomy books anymore), and it's expensive, but worth every penny (especially if you buy it in USD). NB: a minus for some (a huge relief for others) is that BOB uses SI units instead of cgs.

[C. Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Designed for advanced undergraduates/graduates, this is the reference textbook in many Astronomy/Astrophysics programs across the US where it is called BOB (Big Orange Book). It is also useful as a refresher or for scientists who are not entirely familiar with the subject but have a solid foundation in Physics and Mathematics. This is an almost encyclopedic work. It includes plenty of examples and problems.

[فرهاد ذکاوت · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best references for undergraduates and all who have the basic physics background and interested to step forward in astrophysics as a favorite topic for research. It is also a reference in many countries for instructors. Kind of a complete introductory text book. Well written and can be the beginning to start an advance and very specific topic later with other specified references and papers.

[Guillermo Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explicaciones muy claras, muy detallado para los que necesitamos muchas aclaraciones, y muchísimos datos. Gran libro, aunque no es una lectura ligera.

[Simon Alford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and introductory text, looking forward to reading. And 5 months later we finish ! yehaa !
Time to return to history !

Really good. Good on stars and binary stars. I struggled with the end bits - galaxies and the cosmos. Maths varied from manageable to obscure-ish, which probably reflects my Maths lack in the last 30 years.

Love the written style. Diagrams plentiful. BOB - it is indeed the Big Orange Book. Well worth the money.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not the best textbook on astronomy I've seen but it is very in depth on the mathematics side of astrophysics.

[Roger Freedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly the best introduction to astrophysics at the upper-division undergraduate level.

[Lisa Finlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had a unique experience with this book: I have taken the class from the author. I like how this book works. I like the math in it.

[Lance Schonberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recommended text for a second year survey course in Astrophysics, this is a comprehensive book that works to give the student a strong foundation in as much of the field as it possibly can. It's not often you can say you enjoyed a textbook, but I did enjoy this one.

[Imad Khan]

A good textbook to introductory modern astrophysics with some good problems and examples, though there were at times a lot of parts where the author shows an incomplete equation and says, "I'll leave it to the reader to solve as an exercise." I did not enjoy that.

[Ludwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

a classic textbook about everything in astrophysics

[Mjjjsss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best astrophysics books for students .

[Michael Healy-Kalesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astrophysicist's favourite companion textbook!

[Joaquin Meza Lagos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome job describing astrophysics in a general way; for the most part, it is self-contained. It’s a good book if you need to review a topic.

[Ellie Dugdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this fucker front to back for my modern astro class (all 1600 pages) so this is absolutely counting towards my reading goal.

Jokes aside, this is objectively a great textbook.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

the orange book my beloved

[Candice Cheung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I luv carroll and ostlie

[Angie Reisetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic textbook for an undergraduate course. Readable enough to really explain things. Comprehensive enough to be a useful resource for the rest of the students' careers. It also has good examples and end-of-chapter problems. One of the best texts available in this field.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big as a telephone book! Get an ornate podium and display open like a good Bible or Koran

[Corinna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Astrophysics without color pictures? That sucks. Plus it's like 1300 pages.

[Durand D'souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has the perfect amount of detail for studying astrophysics at uni, and then some. Really interesting!

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda read it.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty damn comprehensive, but kind of daunting. Very straightforward, which I appreciate.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

First year text that I referred to continuously through my studies and observations/data analysis thereafter. Great book!!!

[Marie-michèle]

Comme si j'avais le choix! Que ce soit bon ou pas, je dois le lire au complet!

[Morgado Orlando]

is good