High-energy astrophysics involves the study of exceedingly dynamic and energetic phenomena occurring near the most extreme celestial objects known to exist, such as black holes, neutron stars, white dwarfs, and supernova remnants. High-Energy Astrophysics provides graduate and advanced undergraduate students with the most complete, self-contained introduction to the subject available. This textbook covers all the essentials, weaving together the latest theory with the experimental techniques, instrumentation, and observational methods astronomers use to study high-energy radiation from space. Fulvio Melia introduces topics at the forefront of today's research, including relativistic particles, energetic radiation, and accretion disk theory. No other textbook offers such a thorough yet concise treatment of the key aspects of high-energy astrophysics--both theoretical and observational--or delves as deeply into modern detection techniques, satellite systems, and analytical and numerical modeling used by theoreticians. Amply illustrated, High-Energy Astrophysics is also ideal for researchers interested in the application of fundamental physical laws to understand how matter and radiation behave in regions of the universe where physical conditions are most extreme. * Uniquely weaves together the theoretical and experimental aspects of this important branch of astronomy * Features stunning images of the high-energy sky * Fully describes the principal classes of high-energy sources, with an in-depth study of many archetypal objects within them * Provides an excellent, self-contained resource for the classroom, written by a preeminent researcher and teacher in the field

A splendid resource for students and researchers wanting a physics-based overview of the extraordinary findings of X-ray, gamma-ray, and cosmic-ray astronomy. The key properties of accreting black holes, gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, magnetars, galaxy clusters, and the many other fantastic denizens of the high-energy universe are highlighted, along with the tools and methods used to investigate them. -- Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University The introductory graduate literature available in high-energy astrophysics has not kept up with the field's explosion in breadth and impact. This ambitious and badly needed text ably surveys the field, covering an impressive range of topics while still providing good physical insight. The many illustrations, references for further study, and discussions of modern topics like theoretical computer simulations should make this book attractive to students and professors alike. -- Paolo Coppi, Yale University This is a very carefully constructed book and one that has been needed in our field for many years. Melia writes clearly, and the topics include most of the major ones that should be covered. Indeed, this is a book I would likely use in my high-energy astrophysics course here at Harvard. -- Jonathan E. Grindlay, Harvard University

About the Author
Fulvio Melia is professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Arizona and associate editor of the "Astrophysical Journal Letters". His books include "The Galactic Supermassive Black Hole" (Princeton).

Reviews
Winner of the 2009 PROSE Award in Cosmology & Astronomy, Association of American Publishers "The well-written work provides an excellent balance between relevant graduate physics and observational summaries of key high-energy astrophysical phenomena, such as pulsars, black holes, and active galactic nuclei. The explanations are lucid and concise, and the mathematical detail is well suited to the intended audience, primarily graduate students in astrophysics."--Choice


Awards
Winner of PROSE Awards: Cosmology & Astronomy 2009.



Book Information
ISBN 9780691140292
Author Fulvio Melia
Format Paperback
Page Count 392
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publisher Princeton University Press
Weight(grams) 652g