Table of Contents

List of focus elements; List of tables; Preface; 1. Light of the Sun; 2. Gravity and motion; 3. Atomic and sub-atomic particles; 4. Transmutation of the elements; 5. What makes the Sun shine?; 6. The extended solar atmosphere; 7. Comparisons of the Sun with other stars; 8. The lives of stars; 9. The material between stars; 10. New stars arise from the darkness; 11. Stellar end states; 12. A larger, expanding universe; 13. Birth, life, and death of the universe; Quotation references; Author index; Subject index.

Promotional Information

Explains how stars are born, how they evolve and their ultimate fates, for a broad general audience.

About the Author

Kenneth R. Lang is Professor of Astronomy at Tufts University. He is the author of many popular astronomy books, including The Cambridge Guide to the Solar System, 2nd edition (2011), Sun, Earth, and Sky, 2nd edition (2006) and Wanderers in Space (1994). An expert in radio astronomy and astrophysics, his research examines how magnetic energy generates explosions on the Sun.

Reviews

'Of interest to readers of all ages, The Life and Death of Stars should be your 'go to' popular science text for facts about the Sun, the solar system, the stars, and the Universe … contains stunning color photos taken by satellites and Earth-based observatories of supernova, nebula, clusters, and colliding galaxies … also artfully balances descriptive explanations with fundamental relationships … thorough, detailed, and fascinating.' Robert Schaefer, New York Journal of Books

'My own understanding of the behaviour and lifecycle of stars has grown enormously from reading this book, and yours will too … Lang delivers with this book. After reading it, I'll definitely be checking out his other books … [it] broadened and deepened my understanding of all things stellar. It's a fantastic book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to … readers who wish to expand their knowledge of astrophysics.' Evan Gough, Universe Today

'… an excellent primer … for someone looking to get a better understanding of how stars work … I can recommend this book.' Astronomy Now

'It's hard to imagine a better non-mathematical treatment of the subject for amateur astronomers wanting to take their understanding to the next level.' BBC Sky at Night

'This book is a perfect read for students and scientists alike. It packs the entire field of stellar and extragalactic astrophysics in an easy-to-read text full of analogies to everyday life and hard-to-find historical anecdotes and scientific discoveries. Although the general public interested in astronomy will enjoy this book, the nuances of the accomplishments of the scientists that developed this field can be fully appreciated only by those who have already taken an astronomy course. Peppered throughout the work are quotes by poets (e.g. Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda), unique tables, and a vast array of clear figures and pictures accompanied by detailed captions and no equations. The amount and quality of the information presented makes the volume a hybrid between a textbook and a popular science book. Highly recommended.' M. Takamiya, Choice

'Lang could have titled his book, 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Lives of Stars': it is well written, thorough and detailed, but not dense - a fine addition to a personal library - or any library.' SkyNews