The synthesis of the elements : the astrophysical quest for nucleosynthesis and what it can tell us about the universe / Giora Shaviv.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shaviv, Giora.

Series:

Astrophysics and space science library ; v. 387.

Astrophysics and space science library, 0067-0057 ; v. 387

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nucleosynthesis.

Cosmochemistry.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (699 p.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2012.

Place of Publication:

Berlin : Springer, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book describes the origins and evolution of the chemical elements we and the cosmos are made of. The story starts with the discovery of the common elements on Earth and their subsequent discovery in space. How do we learn the composition of the distant stars? How did progress in quantum theory, nuclear physics, spectroscopy, stellar structure and evolution, together with observations of stars, converge to provide an incredibly detailed picture of the universe? How does research in the micro-world explain the macro-world? How does progress in one affect the other, or lack of knowledge in one inhibit progress in the other? In short, Shaviv describes how we discovered the various pieces of the jigsaw that form our present picture of the universe; and how we sometimes put these in the wrong place before finding in the right one. En route we meet some fascinating personalities and learn about heated controversies. Shaviv shows how science lurched from one dogma to the next, time and again shattering much of what had been considered solid knowledge, until eventually a stable understanding arose. Beginning with generally accepted science, the book ends in today’s terra incognita of nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology. A monumental work that will fascinate scientists, philosophers, historians and lay readers alike.

Contents:

Order in the Chemical Elements

Preparing the Ground for Delving into the Stars

Probing the Stars from afar

Is Physics the Same Everywhere?

Towards the Bottom of the Nuclear Binding Energy

The Composition-Age-Velocity Connection

Big and Little Bangs

How Nature Overcomes its Own Barriers

Beyond Carbon

Which Star Becomes which Supernova?

Between two Extreme Nuclear Models

Synthesis of the Heavier-than-Iron Elements

A Process in Search of an Environment: The r-Process

The Elusive First Stars

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613712134

9781280861499

1280861495

9783642283857

3642283853

OCLC:

787859175