Of celestial spheres and floaty discs 4

This text covers the fundamental physics and chemistry required to understand the interstellar medium. Radiation mechanisms are presented, and examples drawn from observations in the X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared, mm/sub mm, and radio wavebands. It gives a detailed quantitative treatment of the radiative and dynamical interactions between stars and the interstellar medium.

Who is it for? Anyone with an undergraduate degree in physics.

Presentation: Excellent.

Would you recommend it? It offers a step-by-step insight into the spectral analysis that has revealed the physical and chemical states of the material between the stars.

David W. Hughes is professor of astronomy at Sheffield University.