Stellar Evolution Physics: Volume 1, Physical Processes in Stellar Interiors

This text of VOLUME 1 describes the microscopic physics operating in stars and demonstrates how stars respond from formation, through hydrogen-burning phases, up to the onset of helium burning. Intended for beginning graduate students and senior undergraduates with a solid background in physics, it illustrates the intricate interplay between the microscopic physical processes and the stars' macroscopic responses. The volume starts with the gravitationally contracting phase which carries the star from formation to the core hydrogen-burning main sequence, through the main sequence phase, through shell hydrogen-burning phases as a red giant, up to the onset of core helium burning. Particular emphasis is placed on describing the gravothermal responses of stars to nuclear transformations in the interior and energy loss from the surface, responses which express the very essence of stellar evolution. The volume is replete with many illustrations and detailed numerical solutions to prepare the reader to program and calculate evolutionary models. VOLUME 2: Stellar Evolution Physics, Icko Iben describes the microscopic physics operating in stars and how stars respond macroscopically, showing the intricate interplay between these processes. Volume 1, intended for graduate students with a solid background in physics, covers the processes up to the onset of helium burning. Volume 2 builds on these principles, covering models of low and intermediate mass stars, the AGB phase, the final cooling white dwarf phase and a model for a massive star. Particular attention is given to the gravothermal responses to nuclear reaction-induced transformations in the interior and energy loss from the surface, responses at the heart of stellar evolution. The volumes include over 600 illustrations and many numerical solutions in order to prepare the reader to program and calculate evolutionary models for themselves. Taken together, the two volumes will prepare a graduate student for professional-level research in this key area of astrophysics.Features: --Provides the most in-depth treatment of microscopic input physics and the macroscopic responses, emphasising the interplay between them --Instils an appreciation of how a star responds gravothermally to nuclear reaction-induced transformations and energy loss from the surface --Emphasises methods for obtaining numerical solutions enabling students to construct their own stellar evolutionary models --Over 300 illustrations describe in detail the structural characteristics and the physical processes occurring in stellar models. Icko Iben, Jr is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Astronomy and Physics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he also gained his MS and PhD degrees in Physics and where a Distinguished Lectureship in his name was established in 1998. Publisher's note Volume 1. Physical Processes In Stellar Interiors -- Volume 2. Advanced Evolution Of Single Stars. Icko Iben, Jr. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.