An Introduction to the Sun and Stars (Engels)

Written by a team of experts in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, and illustrated in colour throughout

Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook introduces the properties and evolution of the most immediately visible objects in the Universe – stars. Designed for elementary university courses in astronomy and astrophysics, it starts with a detailed discussion of our nearest star, the Sun, and describes how solar physicists have come to understand its internal workings. It then considers how we study the basic physical properties and life-cycles of more distant stars, culminating with a discussion of more 'exotic' objects, such as neutron stars and black holes.

This second edition has a greater emphasis on the physical and spectral properties of stars, introducing stellar atmospheres, spectral line formation and the role of binary stars in the formation of compact objects. Avoiding complex mathematics, and generously illustrated in colour throughout, this accessible text is ideal for self-study and will appeal to both amateur astronomers and undergraduate students.

Table of Contents:

• Seeing the Sun
• The working Sun
• Measuring stars
• Comparing stars
• The formation of stars
• The main sequence life of stars
• The life of stars beyond the main sequence
• The death of stars
• The remnants of stars

Contains numerous pedagogical features including boxed summaries, brief biographies of pioneering astronomers, bulleted questions and answers throughout, over 100 exercises with full solutions, and a glossary of terms.