Active Galactic Nuclei

By Julian H. Krolik

Book Overview

This is the first comprehensive treatment of active galactic nuclei--the cosmic powerhouses at the core of many distant galaxies. The term active galactic nuclei refers to quasars, radio galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, blazars, and related objects, all of which are believed to share a similar central engine--a supermassive black hole many times the mass of the Sun. Astrophysicists have studied these phenomena for the past several decades and have begun to develop a consensus about many of their properties and internal mechanisms. Julian Krolik, one of the world's leading authorities on the subject, sums up leading ideas from across the entire range of research, making this book an invaluable resource for astronomers, physicists interested in applications of the theory of gravitation, and graduate students. Krolik begins by addressing basic questions about active galactic nuclei: What are they? How can they be found? How do they evolve? He assesses the evidence for massive black holes and considers how they generate power by accretion. He discusses X-ray and g-ray emission, radio emission and jets, emission and absorption lines, anisotropic appearance, and the relationship between an active nucleus and its host galaxy. He explores the mysteries of what ignites, fuels, and extinguishes active galactic nuclei, and concludes with a general review of where the field now stands. The book is unique in paying careful attention to relevant physics as well as astronomy, reflecting in part the importance of general relativity to understanding active galactic nuclei. Clear, authoritative, and detailed, this is crucial reading for anyone interested in one of the most dynamic areas of astrophysics today.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691011524
• ISBN13: 9780691011523
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 632 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.5" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Complete coverage of a fascinating topic

This book provides an amazing amount of depth on the exciting topic of AGNs. Although a bit heavy on theory at times (which is to be expected from Krolik), the book covers every topic imaginable, from black hole physics to accretion disk structure. If you work in the field of AGNs, or you want to learn more about the subject, this book is a MUST READ. However, I would only recommend it for advanced undergrads or above.

Great astrophysics by Krolik

Prof. Julian Krolik has done it again! His new book "Active Galactic Nuclei: From the Central Black Hole to the Glactic Environment" is a great reference source for astrophyisics, especially in Active Galactic Nuclei. While the reading can be a bit dense and convoluded, the topic is so involving that I couldn't put the book down. If you, like me, love Active Galactic Nuclei, then this is a MUST BUY book. Also, if you are taking one of Prof. Krolik's graduate classes at Hopkins, then I strongly suggest that you read up on his favorite topic. Anyone who buy's the book will NOT be dissapointed with it!!!