Impressively, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) release the same amount of energy in a mere matter of seconds as the sun does in its lifetime. Gamma-ray Burst Correlations presents an overview of the observational correlations; their physical interpretations; their use as redshift estimators; and their potential use as cosmological tools. The author describes the existing correlations as well as breaching the possible meaning and controversy behind the results, and the applicability of several GRB correlations as model discriminators and cosmological indicators. A description of selection bias and the attempts made so far in order to use them as standard candles can help scientists to find the key to solve this puzzling problem. Covering an ever-expanding topic, this book will reach a wide audience, including students and researchers within the astronomical community.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRB) are amongst the most energetic phenomena in the Universe. In 1997 (more than 15 years ago), BeppoSAX allowed the detection of the first GRB X-ray afterglow, leading to the detection of afterglows at other wavelengths (optical, radio) in the following years, probing the cosmological distance scale. There are still many other open issues which still need to be addressed, regarding both theoretical and observational aspects: prompt emission and afterglow physics, progenitors (including Pop III stars), host galaxies, multi-messenger information, etc.

This book guides readers (astronomers, physicists, and university students) through central questions of Practical Cosmology, a term used by the late Allan Sandage to denote the modern scientific endeavor to find the cosmological model best describing the universe of galaxies, its geometry, size, age, and matter composition. The authors draw on their personal experience in astrophysics and cosmology to explain key concepts of cosmology, both observational and theoretical, and to highlight several items which give cosmology its special character. These highlighted items are: Ideosyncratic features of the “cosmic laboratory”, Malmquist bias in the determination of cosmic distances, Theory of gravitation as a cornerstone of cosmological models, Crucial tests for checking the reality of space expansion, Methods of analyzing the structures of the universe as mapped by galaxies, Usefulness of fractals as a model to describe the large-scale structure and new cosmological physics inherent in the Friedmann world model.

The field of astrophysics is in the midst of a technological renaissance. The emphasis of this collection of essays, composed by a stellar group of astronomers and astrophysicists, is on the current state of our knowledge as a preparation for future unraveling of more mysteries of the universe, which appear most amenable to solution. Aspiring atrophysicists will be enthralled.

The field of astrophysics is in the midst of a technologically driven renaissance, as fundamental discoveries are being made with astonishing frequency. In the last decade, new detectors in space, on earth, and deep underground have, when coupled with the computational power of modern computers, revolutionized our knowledge and understanding of the astronomical world. This is a great time for a student of any age to become acquainted with the remarkable universe in which we live. This volume is a collection of essays, originally presented orally to a diverse group of students and professionals, which reveal the most fertile areas for future study of astronomy and astrophysics. The emphasis of this work is on the clear description of the current state of our knowledge as a preparation for the future unraveling of the mysteries of the universe that appear today as most fundamental and most amenable to solution. A stellar group of astronomers and astrophysicists describes the directions and styles of work that they think are most likely to lead to progress. Bibliographical notes at the end of each presentation provide guidance for the reader who wishes to go more deeply into a given subject. Unsolved Problems in Astrophysics is a uniquely stimulating introduction to some of the most important topics in modern astrophysics.

The aim of the inaugural meeting of the Sant Cugat Forum on Astrophysics was to address, in a global context, the current understanding of and challenges in high-energy emissions from isolated and non-isolated neutron stars, and to confront the theoretical picture with observations of both the Fermi satellite and the currently operating ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. Participants have also discussed the prospects for possible observations with planned instruments across the multi-wavelength spectrum (e.g. SKA, LOFAR, E-VLT, IXO, CTA) and how they will impact our theoretical understanding of these systems. In keeping with the goals of the Forum, this book not only represents the proceedings of the meeting, but also a reflection on the state-of-the-art in the topic.

A complete text on the physics of gamma-ray bursts, the most brilliant explosions since the Big Bang.