Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This textbook looks at gravitational lensing, which has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics, from finding planets orbiting distant stars to understanding how dark matter and dark energy conspired to form the galaxies and cosmic structures we see today. Principles of Gravitational Lensing begins with Einstein's prediction that mass bends light, and shows how this simple idea has gone from theoretical curiosity to observational science in under a century. It describes how the three subfields known as strong lensing, weak lensing, and microlensing have grown independently but become increasingly intertwined. Drawing on their research experience, Congdon and Keeton present the mathematical foundation of gravitational lensing to beginning graduate and advanced undergraduate students with a background in physics. The derivations and explanations are supplemented by exercises at the end of each chapter. The treatment is self-contained and comprehensive. Principl
es of Gravitational Lensing is ideal for students and seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.
Certain properties of stars and planets could be seen with the naked eye, but the full beauty and complexity of the cosmos was revealed only with the advent of the telescope. Today, astronomers recognize that gravity can bend light rays, creating enormous "cosmic telescopes" that help us probe aspects of the universe that are otherwise invisible.
While various monographs and lecture compilations on the subject have appeared, a comprehensive didactic account that assumes only a background in undergraduate physics has so far been lacking. This book begins with the basic physics of light bending and builds up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way. Relevant background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained. Exercises at the end of each chapter are carefully designed to help students master the theoretical concepts and methods that drive research in gravitational lensing. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest.
Synopsis
The full beauty and complexity of the cosmos have unraveled at a rapid pace since the advent of the telescope. Today, astronomers are utilizing another sort of natural "cosmic telescope"--gravity, which can bend light rays and help us probe aspects of the universe that are otherwise invisible to us.
This textbook presents the mathematical foundations of gravitational lensing, a subject that has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics. While various works on the subject have appeared, a comprehensive, yet accessible account for students has so far been lacking. Coauthors Congdon and Keeton aim to fill that gap, beginning with the basic physics of light bending and building up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way.
The derivations and explanations found herein are supplemented by exercises at the end of each chapter. Background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest. Overall, the book serves as an ideal resource for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, along with seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.
Synopsis
This textbook provides an introduction to gravitational lensing, which has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics, with applications that range from finding planets orbiting distant stars to understanding how dark matter and dark energy conspired to form the cosmic structures we see today. Principles of Gravitational Lensing begins with Einstein's prediction that gravity bends light, and shows how that fundamental idea has spawned a rich field of study over the past century.
The gravitational deflection of light was first detected by Eddington during a solar eclipse in May 1919, launching Einstein and his theory of relativity into public view. Yet the possibility of using the phenomenon to unlock mysteries of the Universe seemed remote, given the technology of the day. Theoretical work was carried out sporadically over the next six decades, but only with the discovery of the system Q0957+561 in 1979 was gravitational lensing transformed from a curiosity of general relativity into a practical observational tool.
This book describes how the three subfields known as strong lensing, weak lensing, and microlensing have grown independently but become increasingly intertwined. Drawing on their research experience, Congdon and Keeton begin with the basic physics of light bending, then present the mathematical foundations of gravitational lensing, building up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way. Relevant background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained.
The derivations and explanations are supplemented by exercises designed to help students master the theoretical concepts as well as the methods that drive current research. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest. Principles of Gravitational Lensing is ideal for advanced students and seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.
Synopsis
Chapter 1- Introduction.- Chapter 2- Gravitational Lenses with Circular Symmetry.- Chapter 3- Light Deflection in Curved Spacetime.- Chapter4- Multiple Imaging in the Weak-Field Limit.- Chapter 5- Microlensing within the Local Group.- Chapter 6- Strong Lensing by Galaxies.- Chapter 7- Strong and Weak Lensing by Galaxy Clusters.- Chapter 8- Weak Lensing by Large-Scale Structure.- Chapter 9- Lensing of the Cosmic Microwave Background.- Appendix A- Calculus of Variations.- Appendix B- Functions of Complex Variable.- Appendix C- Orthogonal Functions.- Appendix D- Fourier Analysis.- Appendix E- Computational Techniques.- Index.