978 - 1 - 107 - 01074 - 1 - Astrophysics Through Computation : With Mathematica Support

Astrophysics draws upon a wide range of topics in astronomy and physics. Topics as widely ranging as observational techniques, thermodynamics, and general relativity are all central to the material covered in this text. Many readers, particularly undergraduate students, will have only passing experience with some of these foundational concepts. It is impossible for us to provide a comprehensive review of these within the scope of this text, but we begin with a basic overview of the most central topics necessary to approach the astrophysical subjects to be covered. In later chapters we build on these various terms in greater detail. Although we do assume more than a general background in physics and astronomy, we do not provide a comprehensive discussion of the basics, as these can be obtained elsewhere. Instead we present only those more advanced background concepts as needed to the task at hand.