This accessible introduction describes the branch of astronomy in which processes in the universe are investigated with experimental methods employed in particle-physics experiments. After a historical introduction the basics of elementary particles, Astroparticle Physics describes their interactions and the relevant detection techniques. The emphasis is cosmic rays, while modern aspects of astroparticle physics also treated in a cosmological content. It provides an orientation in the field of astroparticle physics that many beginners might seek and appreciate because the underlying physics fundamentals are presented with little mathematics, and the results are illustrated by many diagrams. The reader has a chance to enter this field of astronomy with a book that closes the gap between expert and popular level.

Introductory text which does not overload the reader Most recent results are included e.g. neutrino-astronomy Update of the German edition Delivers an orientation for beginners in astroparticle physics

Autorentext
Dr. Claus Grupen, Dr. Ulrich Werthenbach, Dr. Tilo Stroh sind Experten auf dem Gebiet des Strahlenschutzes. Dr. Siegmund Brandt is Professor Emeritus of Physics and Dr. Hans Dieter Dahmen is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at the University of Siegen. Their fields of research are the experimental and theoretical physics of elementary particles, respectively. They are joint authors of several textbooks, among them The Picture Book of Quantum Mechanics (3rd edition, Springer, 2001). Dr. Tilo Stroh took his Ph.D. with a thesis on computation quantum mechanics under Hans Dahmen.

Klappentext
The book describes the branch of astrophysics in which processes in the universe are investigated with experimental methods known from particle physics experiments. After a historical introduction to the basics of elementary particles, their interactions and the relevant detection techniques are described. The main body of the book concerns cosmic rays. The modern aspects of astroparticle physics are described in a chapter on cosmology. The book provides an orientation in the field of astroparticle physics that many beginners might look for. The physics issues are presented with little mathematics, and the results are illustrated by many diagrams. The reader has a chance to enter this field of astrophysics with a book that closes the gap between expert and popular level.

Inhalt
Historical Introduction.- The Standard Model of Elementary Particles.- Kinematics and Cross Sections.- Physics of Particle and Radiation Detection.- Acceleration Mechanisms.- Primary Cosmic Rays.- Secondary Cosmic Rays.- Cosmology.- The Early Universe.- Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.- The Cosmic Microwave Background.- Inflation.- Dark Matter.- Astrobiology.- Outlook.- Solutions.