An Introduction to Star Formation

Ideal for students and researchers alike, this advanced textbook provides a complete overview of star formation.

Derek Ward-Thompson (Author), Anthony P. Whitworth (Author)

9780521630306, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 February 2011

228 pages, 81 b/w illus.
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.4 cm, 0.6 kg

'I strongly recommend that all students get the book and advise professional astrophysicists not already deeply involved in star formation to obtain it for reference.' Astronomy & Geophysics

Guiding the reader through all the stages that lead to the formation of a star such as our Sun, this advanced textbook provides students with a complete overview of star formation. It examines the underlying physical processes that govern the evolution from a molecular cloud core to a main-sequence star, and focuses on the formation of solar-mass stars. Each chapter combines theory and observation, helping readers to connect with and understand the theory behind star formation. Beginning with an explanation of the interstellar medium and molecular clouds as sites of star formation, subsequent chapters address the building of typical stars and the formation of high-mass stars, concluding with a discussion of the by-products and consequences of star formation. This is a unique, self-contained text with sufficient background information for self-study, and is ideal for students and professional researchers alike.

1. Introduction
2. Probing star formation
3. The ISM: the beginnings of star formation
4. Molecular clouds: the sites of star formation
5. Fragmentation and collapse: the road to star formation
6. Young stars, proto-stars and accretion: building a typical star
7. The formation of high-mass stars, and their surroundings
8. By-products and consequences of star formation
Index.

Subject Areas: Astronomy, space & time [PG]