TY - GEN AU - Padmanabhan, T. (Thanu) TI - An invitation to astrophysics T2 - World scientific series in astronomy and astrophysics SN - 9789812566874 AV - QB461 PY - 2006///] CY - Singapore PB - World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd. N1 - 1. Gravitation 2. Radiative Processes 3. Matter 4. Stars and Stellar Evolution 5. Relics of Stars 6. Cosmology and the Early Universe 7. Universe at z < 20 8. Normal Galaxies 9. Active Galaxies N2 - This unique book provides a clear and lucid description of several aspects of astrophysics and cosmology in a language understandable to a physicist or beginner in astrophysics. It presents the key topics in all branches of astrophysics and cosmology in a simple and concise language. The emphasis is on currently active research areas and exciting new frontiers rather than on more pedantic topics. Many complicated results are introduced with simple, novel derivations which strengthen the conceptual understanding of the subject. The book also contains over one hundred exercises which will help students in their self study. Undergraduate and graduate students in physics and astrophysics as well as all physicists who are interested in obtaining a quick grasp of astrophysical concepts will find this book useful.---summary provided by publisher ER -