What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? PDF Author: Joshua S. Bloom
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400837006
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 271

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Book Description
A brief, cutting-edge introduction to the brightest cosmic phenomena known to science Gamma-ray bursts are the brightest—and, until recently, among the least understood—cosmic events in the universe. Discovered by chance during the cold war, these evanescent high-energy explosions confounded astronomers for decades. But a rapid series of startling breakthroughs beginning in 1997 revealed that the majority of gamma-ray bursts are caused by the explosions of young and massive stars in the vast star-forming cauldrons of distant galaxies. New findings also point to very different origins for some events, serving to complicate but enrich our understanding of the exotic and violent universe. What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? is a succinct introduction to this fast-growing subject, written by an astrophysicist who is at the forefront of today's research into these incredible cosmic phenomena. Joshua Bloom gives readers a concise and accessible overview of gamma-ray bursts and the theoretical framework that physicists have developed to make sense of complex observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. He traces the history of remarkable discoveries that led to our current understanding of gamma-ray bursts, and reveals the decisive role these phenomena could play in the grand pursuits of twenty-first century astrophysics, from studying gravity waves and unveiling the growth of stars and galaxies after the big bang to surmising the ultimate fate of the universe itself. What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? is an essential primer to this exciting frontier of scientific inquiry, and a must-read for anyone seeking to keep pace with cutting-edge developments in physics today.

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts?

What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? PDF Author: Joshua S. Bloom
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400837006
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 271

Get Book Here

Book Description
A brief, cutting-edge introduction to the brightest cosmic phenomena known to science Gamma-ray bursts are the brightest—and, until recently, among the least understood—cosmic events in the universe. Discovered by chance during the cold war, these evanescent high-energy explosions confounded astronomers for decades. But a rapid series of startling breakthroughs beginning in 1997 revealed that the majority of gamma-ray bursts are caused by the explosions of young and massive stars in the vast star-forming cauldrons of distant galaxies. New findings also point to very different origins for some events, serving to complicate but enrich our understanding of the exotic and violent universe. What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? is a succinct introduction to this fast-growing subject, written by an astrophysicist who is at the forefront of today's research into these incredible cosmic phenomena. Joshua Bloom gives readers a concise and accessible overview of gamma-ray bursts and the theoretical framework that physicists have developed to make sense of complex observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. He traces the history of remarkable discoveries that led to our current understanding of gamma-ray bursts, and reveals the decisive role these phenomena could play in the grand pursuits of twenty-first century astrophysics, from studying gravity waves and unveiling the growth of stars and galaxies after the big bang to surmising the ultimate fate of the universe itself. What Are Gamma-Ray Bursts? is an essential primer to this exciting frontier of scientific inquiry, and a must-read for anyone seeking to keep pace with cutting-edge developments in physics today.

The Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts

The Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts PDF Author: Bing Zhang
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107027616
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 617

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Book Description
A complete text on the physics of gamma-ray bursts, the most brilliant explosions since the Big Bang.

Gamma-Ray Bursts

Gamma-Ray Bursts PDF Author: Gilbert Vedrenne
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 354039088X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 613

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Book Description
Since their discovery was first announced in 1973, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been among the most fascination objects in the universe. While the initial mystery has gone, the fascination continues, sustained by the close connection linking GRBs with some of the most fundamental topics in modern astrophysics and cosmology. Both authors have been active in GRB observations for over two decades and have produced an outstanding account on both the history and the perspectives of GRB research.

Gamma-Ray Bursts

Gamma-Ray Bursts PDF Author: Andrew Levan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780750315005
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
As the most powerful explosion that occurs in the universe, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are one of the most exciting topics being studied in astrophysics. Creating more energy than the Sun does in its entire lifetime, GRBs create a blaze of light that will outshine every other object visible in the sky, enabling us to measure galaxies that are several million years old.GRBs cover various areas of astronomy and interest in them reaches a wide range of fields. Andrew Levan explores the fascinating history of these astronomical occurrences and details our current understanding of GRBs. The science behind them is rapidly moving and this book examines the knowledge that we now have as well as the questions that are continually being raised. Predominantly aimed at PhD students and researchers in the area, Gamma-Ray Bursts addresses this captivating topic and outlines the principles and initial applications of a fascinating astronomical phenomena.

Gravitational Radiation, Luminous Black Holes and Gamma-Ray Burst Supernovae

Gravitational Radiation, Luminous Black Holes and Gamma-Ray Burst Supernovae PDF Author: Maurice H. P. M. van Putten
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139446460
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description
Black holes and gravitational radiation are two of the most dramatic predictions of general relativity. The quest for rotating black holes - discovered by Roy P. Kerr as exact solutions to the Einstein equations - is one of the most exciting challenges facing physicists and astronomers. Gravitational Radiation, Luminous Black Holes and Gamma-Ray Burst Supernovae takes the reader through the theory of gravitational radiation and rotating black holes, and the phenomenology of GRB-supernovae. Topics covered include Kerr black holes and the frame-dragging of spacetime, luminous black holes, compact tori around black holes, and black-hole spin interactions. It concludes with a discussion of prospects for gravitational-wave detections of a long-duration burst in gravitational-waves as a method of choice for identifying Kerr black holes in the Universe. This book is ideal for a special topics graduate course on gravitational-wave astronomy and as an introduction to those interested in this contemporary development in physics.

Gamma-ray Burst Correlations: Current Status and Open Questions

Gamma-ray Burst Correlations: Current Status and Open Questions PDF Author: Maria Dainotti
Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing
ISBN: 9780750319294
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
Gamma-ray Burst Correlations presents an overview of the observational correlations; their physical interpretations, their use as redshift estimators, and their potential use as cosmological tools. The author describes the existing correlations as well as broaching the possible meaning and controversy behind the results of several GRB correlations.

Comets

Comets PDF Author: P. Andrew Karam
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780238584
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 246

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Book Description
Radiating fire and ice, comets as a phenomenon seem part science, part myth. Two thousand years ago when a comet shot across the night sky, it convinced the Romans that Julius Caesar was a god. In 1066, Halley’s Comet was interpreted as a foreshadowing of the death of Harold the Second in the Battle of Hastings. Even today the arrival of a comet often feels auspicious, confirming our hopes, fears, and sense of wonder in the universe. In Comets, P. Andrew Karam takes the reader on a far-ranging exploration of these most beautiful and dramatic objects in the skies, revealing how comets and humanity have been interwoven throughout history. He delves into the science of comets and how it has changed over time; the way comets have been depicted in art, religion, literature, and popular culture; and how comets have appeared in the heavens through the centuries. Comprehensive in scope and beautifully illustrated throughout, the book will appeal not only to the budding astronomer, but to anyone with an appreciation for these compelling and remarkable celestial bodies.

Death from the Skies!

Death from the Skies! PDF Author: Philip C. Plait
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780670019977
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 338

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Book Description
It's only a matter of time before a cosmic disaster spells the end of the Earth. But how concerned should we about about any of these catastrophic scenarios? And if they do post a danger, can anything be done to stop them?

High-Energy Emission from Pulsars and their Systems

High-Energy Emission from Pulsars and their Systems PDF Author: Nanda Rea
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642172512
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 656

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Book Description
The aim of the inaugural meeting of the Sant Cugat Forum on Astrophysics was to address, in a global context, the current understanding of and challenges in high-energy emissions from isolated and non-isolated neutron stars, and to confront the theoretical picture with observations of both the Fermi satellite and the currently operating ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. Participants have also discussed the prospects for possible observations with planned instruments across the multi-wavelength spectrum (e.g. SKA, LOFAR, E-VLT, IXO, CTA) and how they will impact our theoretical understanding of these systems. In keeping with the goals of the Forum, this book not only represents the proceedings of the meeting, but also a reflection on the state-of-the-art in the topic.

Flash!

Flash! PDF Author: Govert Schilling
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521800532
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 332

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Book Description
The origin and nature of gamma-ray bursts is currently one of the greatest mysteries in astrophysics. These tremendously powerful blasts produce more energy in a fraction of a second than our Sun does in ten billion years. Since their accidental discovery by American spy satellites over thirty years ago, astronomers have striven to understand these enigmatic explosions. It is only recently, thanks to an Italian-Dutch satellite, and powerful telescopes both on the ground and in space, that the mystery is beginning to be unravelled. Astronomers now realise that gamma-ray bursts are probably related to the birth of black holes in extremely distant galaxies. Flash! describes the fast moving field of gamma ray burst research, from the initial detection right up to the most recent discoveries. Based on interviews with leading scientists, this exciting book provides an inside view of the scientific challenges involved in unravelling the mystery of gamma-ray bursts.