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| The Physics of the Interstellar Medium | Buy a book...
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| Author(s): | J. E. Dyson and D. A. Williams |
| Publisher: | Institute of Physics |
| ISBN: | 0 7503 0460 X |
| Format: | softback |
| 165pp | |
| Price: | £19.00, $32.00 |
| Review Date: | 23 May 2000 |
| Review: | This book leads the advanced undergraduate through a wide range of disciples related to the understanding of the interstellar medium and is suitable for any student studying either physics or astrophysics. The study of the interstellar medium incorporates a large range of physical processes on both large and small scales. At the microscopic level, the structure and energy balance of the interstellar medium are treated through an understanding of atomic and molecular interactions; specifically, two-body chemical reactions and gas-solid interactions. On a macroscopic level, gas dynamics are studied in order to describe the motions of interstellar gases, the existence of shock fronts and the consequences of stellar winds and explosions. The interaction of electromagnetic waves with atoms, molecules and solids is also of great importance to any observer and this area is given particular prominence in this text. Together with the inclusion of simple models and problems at the end of each chapter this text provides a comprehensive overview and grounding in the study of the interstellar medium. |