Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium

Rate this book
An essential resource for graduate students and astrophysicists

This is a comprehensive and richly illustrated textbook on the astrophysics of the interstellar and intergalactic medium--the gas and dust, as well as the electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, and magnetic and gravitational fields, present between the stars in a galaxy and also between galaxies themselves.

Topics include radiative processes across the electromagnetic spectrum; radiative transfer; ionization; heating and cooling; astrochemistry; interstellar dust; fluid dynamics, including ionization fronts and shock waves; cosmic rays; distribution and evolution of the interstellar medium; and star formation. While it is assumed that the reader has a background in undergraduate-level physics, including some prior exposure to atomic and molecular physics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism, the first six chapters of the book include a review of the basic physics that is used in later chapters. This graduate-level textbook includes references for further reading, and serves as an invaluable resource for working astrophysicists.
Essential textbook on the physics of the interstellar and intergalactic medium
Based on a course taught by the author for more than twenty years at Princeton University
Covers radiative processes, fluid dynamics, cosmic rays, astrochemistry, interstellar dust, and more
Discusses the physical state and distribution of the ionized, atomic, and molecular phases of the interstellar medium
Reviews diagnostics using emission and absorption lines
Features color illustrations and detailed reference materials in appendices
Instructor's manual with problems and solutions (available only to teachers)

576 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2010

3 people are currently reading
36 people want to read

About the author

Bruce T. Draine

3 books1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
9 (32%)
4 stars
13 (46%)
3 stars
5 (17%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (3%)
No one has reviewed this book yet.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.