Current Topics In Astrofundamental Physics 1st Course In The International School Of Astrophysics D Chalonge

This volume provides an updated understanding of the progress and current problems in the interplay between fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology.In the last years, the cross section between these fields has been increasing, both at the theoretical and experimental levels: particle physics experiments, astronomical observations, space satellite data. Such interplay has fruitfully influenced research activity setting up Astrofundamental physics.Topics covered in this volume are: early universe, large scale structure of the universe, dark matter problem, cosmic microwave background radiation, gravitational wave astronomy and neutrino astrophysics. The inter-relation between these topics is important and a source of problems at the frontiers of present knowledge and experimental limits. Latest available data are constraining theory and models in these topics. The book reviews achievements, confronts theory and models with observations and provides information on the latest developments and discussions on future prospects.It also includes a section on stellar spectroscopy and spectrophotometry which covers Daniel Chalonge's work as well as present progress and future prospects in these fields.

This book provides an updated understanding of the progress and current problems in the interplay between fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

In recent years, the cross-section between fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology has been increasing, both at the theoretical and experimental levels: particle physics experiments, astronomical observations, space satellite data. Such interplay fruitfully influenced research activity setting up Astrofundamental physics.Topics covered both theory and observations, and allowed for different approaches and different lines of research. Topics included are: dark matter, neutrinos in astrophysics, gamma-ray astrophysics, and a section devoted to gravity, cosmology and strings. Each of these topics has matter enough to constitute a course on its own. The interrelation between these topics is important and a source of problems at the frontiers of present knowledge and experimental limits. Latest available data are constraining theory and models in these topics. These lecture notes provide an occasion to review achievements, to confront theory and models with observations and among themselves, to exchange information on the latest developments and to discuss future prospects.

This NATO Advanced Study Institute course provided an updated understanding, from a fundamental and deep point of view, of the progress and current problems in the early universe, cosmic microwave background radiation, large-scale struc ture, dark matter problem, and the interplay between them. Emphasis was placed on the mutual impact of fundamental physics and cosmology, both at the theo retical and experimental or observational levels, within a deep and well defined programme, and a global unifying view, which, in addition, provides of careful inter-disciplinarity. In addition, each course of this series introduced and promoted topics or sub jects which, although not of a purely astrophysical or cosmological nature, were of relevant physical interest for astrophysics and cosmology. Deep understanding, clarification, synthesis, and careful interdisciplinarity within a fundamental physics framework, were the main goals of the course. Lectures ranged from a motivation and pedagogical introduction for students and participants not directly working in the field to the latest developments and most recent results. All lectures were plenary, had the same duration, and were followed by a discus sion. The course brought together experimentalists and theoreticans physicists, astro physicists and astronomers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including young scientists at the post-doctoral level, senior scientists and advanced graduate stu dents as well.

This NATO Advanced Study Institute provided an up dated understanding, from a fundamental and deep point of view, of the progress and current problems in the early universe, cosmic microwave background radiation, large scale structure, dark matter problem, and the interplay between them. The focus was placed on the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. Emphasis was given to the mutual impact of fundamental physics and cosmology, both at theoretical and experimental-or observational-levels, within a deep and well defined programme, and a global unifying view, which, in addition, provides of careful inter-disciplinarity. Special Lectures were devoted to neutrinos in astrophysics and high energy astrophysics. In addition, each Course of this series, introduced and promoted topics or subjects, which, although not being of purely astrophysical or cosmological nature, were of relevant physical interest for astrophysics and cosmology. Deep understanding, clarification, synthesis, careful interdisciplinarity within a fundamental physics framework, werethe maingoals ofthe course. Lectures ranged from a motivation and pedagogical introduction for students and participants not directly working in the field to the latest developmentsand most recent results. All Lectures were plenary, had the same duration and were followed by a discussion. The Course brought together experimentalists and theoretical physicists, astrophysicists and astronomers from a variety of backgrounds, including young scientists at post-doctoral level, senior scientists and advanced graduatestudentsas well.

Gravity plays a central role in the dynamics of all astrophysical systems - from stars to the Universe as a whole. This timely volume examines all aspects of gravitational dynamics - from stellar systems and galaxy disks, to the dynamics of the Local Group, large scale structures and motions, galaxy formation and general relativity. Each chapter is written by a world expert renowned for original contributions to the field. The authors are: James Binney, Roger Blandford, David Burstein, Tim de Zeeuw, George Efstathiou, Steve Gull, Nick Kaiser, J. Katz, Donald Lynden-Bell, Ruth Lynden-Bell, Douglas Lin, Jeremiah Ostriker, T. Padmanabhan, J. Papaloizou, Jim Peebles, Jim Pringle, Martin Rees, Maarteen Schmidt, Scott Tremaine and Simon White. This volume provides a broad, pedagogical introduction to gravitational dynamics for graduate students, and an up-to-date review for researchers in cosmology, astrophysics, mathematical physics and applied mathematics.

In these selections readers are treated to a rare opportunity to see the world through the eyes of one of the twentieth century's most brilliant and sensitive scientists. Conceived by Chandrasekhar as a supplement to his Selected Papers, this volume begins with eight papers he wrote with Valeria Ferrari on the non-radial oscillations of stars. It then explores some of the themes addressed in Truth and Beauty, with meditations on the aesthetics of science and the world it examines. Highlights include: "The Series Paintings of Claude Monet and the Landscape of General Relativity," "The Perception of Beauty and the Pursuit of Science," "On Reading Newton's Principia at Age Past Eighty," and personal recollections of Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others. Selected Papers, Volume 7 paints a picture of Chandra's universe, filled with stars and galaxies, but with space for poetics, paintings, and politics. The late S. Chandrasekhar was best known for his discovery of the upper limit to the mass of a white dwarf star, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983. He was the author of many books, including The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes and, most recently, Newton's Principia for the Common Reader.

The purpose of this meeting was to cover selected topics of high current interest in the interplay between cosmology and fundamental physics. It brought together physicists, astrophysicists and astronomers and allowed easy and fruitful mutual contacts and communication among them. Topics covered this year include: phase transitions in cosmology and evolution out of the equilibrium of quantum fields, fundamental strings and cosmic strings in cosmology, dark matter and large scale structure, black holes and quantum gravity.