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Beginning with some basic facts about the observable universe the authors consider in successive chapters the complete range of topics that make up a degree course in cosmology and particle astrophysics. The outstanding feature of this book is that it is self-contained, in that no specialised knowledge is required on the part of the reader, apart from basic undergraduate mathematics and physics.
This paperback edition will again target students of physics, astrophysics and cosmology at the advanced undergraduate level or early graduate level. One of the book's biggest strong points is that the authors rapidly involve students in the most exciting of today's developments in the field in a simple and self-contained manner, relegating the more technical aspects to appendices. The worked examples throughout the book, and summaries at the end of each chapter, which were expanded in the second edition, have been very well received by students.
This book offers advanced undergraduate level and beginning graduate level students a highly readable, yet comprehensive review of particle astrophysics. Competing books cover this topic at too advanced a level for this readership.
The Observable Universe.- Special Relativity.- General Relativity.- Cosmological Models.- Gravitational Lensing.- Particles and Fields.- Phase Transitions.- Thermodynamics in the Early Universe.- Thermal Relics from the Big Bang.- The Accelerating Universe.- The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation and Growth of Structure.- Cosmic Rays.- Cosmic Gamma-rays.- The Role of Neutrinos.- Gravitational Waves.- Appendix A-Some More General Relativity.- Appendix B-Relativistic Dynamics.- Appendix C-The Dirac Equation.- Appendix D-Cross-section Calculations.- Appendix E-Quantum Fluctuations of the Inflation.- Appendix F-Suggestions for Further Reading.- References.
From the reviews of the second edition: "Bergstrom and Goobar's (hereafter B&G) ! are addressing students who already have some knowledge of advanced quantum mechanics and classical field theory ! . The book is meant for use at the graduate level, probably the second year by US standards ! . There are worked problems in the text and 2 -- 15 problems at the ends of each of the 15 chapters ! . B&G might well be a good fit to a seminar for students beginning in that area." (Virginia Trimble, Classical and Quantum Gravity, Issue 24, 2007)
