Preface |
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xi | |
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Observational background and basic assumptions |
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1 | (14) |
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1 | (1) |
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What can we learn from observations? |
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2 | (4) |
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6 | (3) |
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The H-R diagram: a tool for testing stellar evolution |
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9 | (6) |
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The equations of stellar evolution |
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15 | (20) |
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Local thermodynamic equilibrium |
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16 | (1) |
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17 | (2) |
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19 | (2) |
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21 | (3) |
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The total energy of a star |
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24 | (2) |
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The equations governing composition changes |
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26 | (3) |
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The set of evolution equations |
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29 | (1) |
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The characteristic timescales of stellar evolution |
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30 | (5) |
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Elementary physics of gas and radiation in stellar interiors |
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35 | (18) |
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36 | (2) |
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38 | (1) |
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39 | (4) |
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43 | (1) |
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The internal energy of gas and radiation |
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44 | (1) |
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45 | (3) |
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48 | (5) |
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Nuclear processes that take place in stars |
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53 | (19) |
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The binding energy of the atomic nucleus |
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53 | (3) |
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56 | (3) |
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Hydrogen burning I: the p-p chain |
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59 | (3) |
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Hydrogen burning II: the CNO bi-cycle |
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62 | (1) |
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Helium burning: the triple-a reaction |
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63 | (2) |
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Carbon and oxygen burning |
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65 | (2) |
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Silicon burning: nuclear statistical equilibrium |
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67 | (1) |
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Creation of heavy elements: the s-and r-processes |
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68 | (2) |
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70 | (1) |
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70 | (2) |
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Equilibrium stellar configurations - simple models |
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72 | (18) |
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The stellar structure equations |
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72 | (1) |
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What is a simple stellar model? |
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73 | (1) |
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74 | (5) |
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79 | (2) |
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81 | (1) |
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82 | (4) |
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86 | (4) |
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90 | (16) |
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Secular thermal stability |
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90 | (2) |
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Cases of thermal instability |
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92 | (3) |
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95 | (2) |
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Cases of dynamical instability |
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97 | (1) |
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98 | (3) |
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Cases of convective instability |
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101 | (3) |
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104 | (2) |
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The evolution of stars - a schematic picture |
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106 | (25) |
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Characterization of the (log T, log p) plane |
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107 | (4) |
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The evolutionary path of the central point of a star in the (log T, log p) plane |
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111 | (4) |
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The evolution of a star, as viewed from its centre |
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115 | (3) |
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The theory of the main sequence |
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118 | (6) |
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Outline of the structure of stars in late evolutionary stages |
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124 | (4) |
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Shortcomings of the simple stellar evolution picture |
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128 | (3) |
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The evolution of stars - a detailed picture |
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131 | (45) |
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The Hayashi zone and the pre-main-sequence phase |
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132 | (6) |
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138 | (5) |
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143 | (3) |
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146 | (5) |
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Helium burning in the core |
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151 | (4) |
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Thermal pulses and the asymptotic giant branch |
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155 | (5) |
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The superwind and the planetary nebula phase |
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160 | (4) |
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White dwarfs - the final state of nonmassive stars |
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164 | (6) |
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The evolution of massive stars |
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170 | (3) |
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The H-R diagram: Epilogue |
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173 | (3) |
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Exotic stars: supernovae, pulsars, and black holes |
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176 | (19) |
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176 | (4) |
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Supernova explosions - the fate of massive stars |
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180 | (4) |
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Nucleosynthesis during supernova explosions |
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184 | (3) |
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Supernova progenies: neutron stars - pulsars |
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187 | (4) |
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Very massive stars and black holes |
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191 | (1) |
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The luminosity of accretion and hard radiation sources |
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192 | (3) |
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195 | (56) |
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195 | (1) |
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196 | (3) |
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Stars, brown dwarfs, and planets |
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199 | (4) |
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The initial mass function |
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203 | (5) |
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The global stellar evolution cycle |
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208 | (7) |
Appendices |
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1 The equation of radiative transfer |
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215 | (8) |
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2 Solutions to all the exercises |
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223 | (26) |
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3 Physical and astronomical constants |
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249 | (2) |
Bibliography |
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251 | (4) |
Index |
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255 | |