Autorentext
Christopher W. Churchill is a professor in the Department of Astronomy at New Mexico State University, where he leads the Quasar Absorption Line Galaxy Evolution Group, a collaboration between NMSU and several other international institutions. He has studied quasars for 30 years and published around 250 articles. His research has been featured on 'PBS Spacetime' and NPR and in 'New Scientist,' 'Scientific American,' 'The New York Times,' and 'The Washington Post.' He has taught astronomical spectroscopy for 20 years. This two-volume text consolidates these practical experiences.

Klappentext

'Quasar Absorption Lines' is a comprehensive, detailed exposition on the science and analysis of quasar spectra in two volumes, for both aspiring and seasoned astronomers. This Volume 2: 'Astrophysics, Analysis, and Modeling' describes atomic transitions of hydrogenic and multi-electron ions, the theoretical foundation and practical application of the CDM cosmological model, and radiative transfer from cosmological sources. The theory of spectrographs and the mathematical formalism and quantitative analysis of spectral absorption lines and ionization breaks are treated in detail, including column density measurements, line deblending, and Voigt profile fitting. The philosophies, methods, and techniques of large absorption line surveys are presented, including methods for correcting incompleteness and for measuring accurate absorber population statistics. Gas physics, heating/cooling, and ionization are also covered, followed by detailed methods for undertaking multi-component, multiphase chemical-ionization modeling.

Inhalt

Foreword Max Pettini; Preface; Part IV. Ions and Photons in the Cosmos: 20. Hydrogen and hydrogenic ions; 21. Transitions of hydrogenic ions; 22. Multi-electron ions and transitions; 23. Atomic properties and spectra; 24. The CDM cosmological paradigm; 25. Applied cosmology; 26. Cosmological radiative transfer; Part V. Analyzing Quasar Spectra: 27. Spectrographs and spectra; 28. Absorption lines and ionization breaks; 29. Absorption line analysis; 30. Profile fitting and column densities; 31. Absorption line surveys; 32. Absorber population statistics; Part VI. Modeling Absorbers: 33. Macro properties of astrophysical gas; 34. The microphysics of ionized gas; 35. Introduction to ionization modeling; 36. Modeling absorbers; References; Index.