Structure and Evolution of Single Stars: An introduction

Structure and Evolution of Single Stars: An introduction is intended for upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduates with a background in physics. Following a brief overview of the background observational material, the basic equations describing the structure and evolution of single stars are derived. The relevant physical processes, which include the equation of state, opacity, nuclear reactions and neutrino losses are then reviewed. Subsequent chapters describe the evolution of low-mass stars from formation to the final white dwarf phase. The final chapter deals with the evolution of massive stars.


About the Author
MacDonald, James: - The author received his PhD in Astronomy from Cambridge University in 1979. Following postdoctoral positions at the Universities of Sussex and Illinois and Arizona State University, he joined the University of Delaware in 1985 where he is now a Professor of Physics and Astronomy. His scientific expertise is the study of the structure and evolution of stars. Recent work has focused on low mass main sequence stars and brown dwarfs. He has published over 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals.