From the Sun to the Great Attractor: 1999 Guanajuato Lectures on Astrophysics

Description

The enormous advances in observational techniques over the last two decades has produced a wealth of data and unexpected discoveries which have helped to reshape astrophysics as a field with well-formulated theories and sophisticated numerical calculations. In nuclear particle physics, plasma physics, as well as in general relativity, the Universe has become a laboratory for cutting-edge research. The courses collected in the book are intended to provide students with this insight, giving a general background on each topic such as cosmic rays, nuclear and neutrino astrophysics, solar physics and strong fields, as well as a presentation of the current research and open problems. The book is aimed at graduate students in physics and astrophysics, as well as researchers, bridging a gap between the specialized reviews and the comprehensive books. Solar Physics: From the Deep Interior to the Hot Corona....Pages 1-47 Precision Laboratory Measurements in Nuclear Astrophysics....Pages 49-99 The Generation of Cosmic Magnetic Fields....Pages 101-172 Neutron Stars and Strong-Field Effects of General Relativity....Pages 173-185 Gamma Ray Astronomy at High Energies....Pages 187-232 Neutrinos in Physics and Astrophysics....Pages 233-257 Particle and Astrophysical Aspects of Ultra-high Energy Cosmic Rays....Pages 259-299 Galaxies Behind the Milky Way and the Great Attractor....Pages 301-344