The Big Bang and Other Explosions in Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics

The is a collection of important papers by David Schramm spanning topics in nuclear and particle astrophysics and cosmology. The prime focus is Big Bang cosmology and the role of primordial nucleosynthesis in establishing the modern consensus on the Big Bang. This leads into the connection of cosmology to particle physics and the constraints put on various elementary particles by astrophysical arguments. Big Bang nucleosynthesis has also led to the argument for nonbaryonic dark matter and is thus related to the major problem in physical cosmology today, namely, structure formation. The nuclear-particle interface with astrophysics also extends to other topics of major interest such as the age of the universe, cosmic rays, supernovae, and solar neutrinos, each of which will be discussed in some detail. Each section contains historical papers, current papers, and frequently a popular article on the subject which provides an overview of the topic. This volume of personally selected papers by one of the world's leading astrophysicists will be of interest to active workers and students in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology and gravitation, and also in high-energy and nuclear physics. The book is of a level accessible to beginning graduate students.