Fred Loebinger

Begin to understand the cosmos with this easy-to-use introduction Astrophysics is the application of physics to astronomical studies, dedicated to understanding the properties of celestial objects even from an immeasurable distance. Cosmology is the study of the Universe itself: its properties, its origins, its ongoing evolution. Together, these two are among the foundational subfields of astronomy, producing extraordinary insights into the broader cosmos we inhabit. Introduction to Astrophysics & Cosmology provides a foundational introduction to these two subjects, intended for interested students with little to no prior knowledge of astronomy. Emphasizing basic physical principles throughout, it covers astronomical bodies and spaces at all scales, from the whole cosmos to our own solar system. The result is an indispensable guide for students wishing to familiarize themselves with the study of our Universe. Introduction to Astrophysics & Cosmology readers will also find: Discussion of astronomical tools such as telescopes and more Problems and self-assessment questions, with solutions, at the conclusion of each chapter Links to other valuable online resources Introduction to Astrophysics & Cosmology isideal for undergraduate physics or astronomy students, as well as general readers with some physical knowledge desiring an introductory astronomy text.

This succinct book is unique in that it covers topics starting from the very basics of probability theory leading up to applications in (equilibrium) statistical physics, quantum theory and complex systems. The overarching aim of the book is to present probabilistic concepts, in a way accessible to physics undergraduates and with applications in physics in mind. The book is split into three parts: Part I: Fundamentals - The starting point of the book will present basic concepts in probability theory including discussions about general motivation, the difficulties in dealing with probabilities and a number of basic examples. This part will include some of the general mathematical concepts underpinning probability theory. This will be followed by a discussion of joint probabilities and topics relating to Bayes theorem. Lastly I will discuss how computers generate (pseudo-) random numbers, a topic which is key in any modern view on random processes for physicists. Part II: Specific probability distributions - The second part of the book will focus on the probability distributions most important for applications in physics including discussions about the Central Limit Theorem, the Gaussian distribution, Poissonian distributions and the connection with exponential random variables. Chapters on Levy flights, selfsimilarity, power law distributions (including applications) and on extreme value statistics (e.g. Gumbel and Weibull distributions) will complete Part II of the book. Part III: Applications in and beyond physics - The final part of the book will explore specific applications of random process modelling in physics and in selected adjacent disciplines, specifically applications in quantum theory, viewed specifically from the perspective of random processes and probability theory. Chapters will contain a derivation of the standard ensembles of classical statistical physics, from the point of view of information theory. This is then extended to quantum statistical physics and density matrices. Finally we will discuss simple Markov chains and Monte Carlo simulations, as well as applications of probability theory to a selected set of topics in complex systems. These will be described at a level suitable for undergraduate students in the first and second year.

The content of the book will be based largely on material derived from a number of undergraduate modules in the author's department, namely: Applied Nuclear Physics, Physics of Medical Imaging, Physics Applied to Physiological Measurement, Laser Photomedicine and Biomaterials Physics, but will also draw on material from elsewhere. The aim is to first cover the properties of biological tissue and then move on to the interactions with the tissue. Diagnostic and then therapeutic techniques will be presented followed by a section with more technical detail for physiological measurement. The material will be separated into a qualitative section bringing out the underlying physics and followed up by a more advanced section with mathematical rigour, where required. This later section will carry a 'Health Warning' indicating it is appropriate for more advanced students.