The book "Radiative Processes in Astrophysics" by George B. Rybicki and Alan P. Lightman is a comprehensive guide to the physics of radiative processes in astrophysics. The authors, who taught the course at Harvard University, aimed to provide a deep understanding of the subject rather than a mere collection of formulas. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamentals of radiative transfer, basic theory of radiation fields, radiation from moving charges, relativistic covariance and kinematics, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, Compton scattering, plasma effects, atomic structure, radiative transitions, and molecular structure. Key concepts such as the electromagnetic spectrum, radiative flux, specific intensity, net flux, momentum flux, radiative energy density, radiation pressure, and the radiative transfer equation are thoroughly explained. The book also delves into the properties of blackbody radiation, the Planck function, and the Stefan-Boltzmann law. It discusses the Wien displacement law, the Rayleigh-Jeans law, and the ultraviolet catastrophe, providing a detailed derivation of the Planck spectrum. The authors emphasize the importance of practical applications and include problems and solutions at the end of each chapter to reinforce the material. The book is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in astronomy, astrophysics, and related fields, requiring a solid background in physics, including quantum mechanics, electromagnetic theory, special relativity, and statistical mechanics.The book "Radiative Processes in Astrophysics" by George B. Rybicki and Alan P. Lightman is a comprehensive guide to the physics of radiative processes in astrophysics. The authors, who taught the course at Harvard University, aimed to provide a deep understanding of the subject rather than a mere collection of formulas. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamentals of radiative transfer, basic theory of radiation fields, radiation from moving charges, relativistic covariance and kinematics, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, Compton scattering, plasma effects, atomic structure, radiative transitions, and molecular structure. Key concepts such as the electromagnetic spectrum, radiative flux, specific intensity, net flux, momentum flux, radiative energy density, radiation pressure, and the radiative transfer equation are thoroughly explained. The book also delves into the properties of blackbody radiation, the Planck function, and the Stefan-Boltzmann law. It discusses the Wien displacement law, the Rayleigh-Jeans law, and the ultraviolet catastrophe, providing a detailed derivation of the Planck spectrum. The authors emphasize the importance of practical applications and include problems and solutions at the end of each chapter to reinforce the material. The book is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in astronomy, astrophysics, and related fields, requiring a solid background in physics, including quantum mechanics, electromagnetic theory, special relativity, and statistical mechanics.