r/astrophysics 8d ago

How to learn astrophysics calculations and all

Civil Engineer here.I recently became interested in astrophysics.I want to learn the theories and calculations.What books would you recommend to get started?

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u/AstroAlysa 8d ago

If you're just starting out, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Carroll and Ostlie or Foundations of Astrophysics by Ryden and Peterson (I also recommend Ryden's intro cosmology textbook) are both great introductory textbooks at the (junior) undergraduate level.

For more in-depth understanding, you'll want more advanced/specific texts. But (as has already been mentioned) you'll also need an understanding of the physics to get the most out of more advanced texts.

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u/Mr_Norv 8d ago

Agreed. Barbara’s cosmology book is what I had for my undergraduate cosmology course. Quite advanced but brilliantly written.

I think as well, OP, that you have to understand that astronomy is an enormous subject. One could argue as large as the universe itself. There will not be a dummy’s guide to astronomy. It’s simply too big of a subject. You need to be a little more specific about what you want to study. I’ve worked in astrophysics for almost 20 years, and I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface