Dynamical Evolution of Dense Stellar Systems (IAU S246)

A complete review of the interdisciplinary field of dense stellar systems with emphasis on comparing observations with simulations.

Enrico Vesperini (Edited by), Mirek Giersz (Edited by), Alison Sills (Edited by)

9780521874687, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 June 2008

510 pages, 25 b/w illus. 10 tables
25.3 x 17.8 x 2.8 cm, 1.15 kg

'I think this book is an excellent starting point for anybody who wishes to enter this field of research or get up to date with its present state. The Observatory

Dense stellar systems lie at the interface between dynamics, stellar evolution, and galaxy formation, and they provide us with an ideal laboratory to understand many different aspects of these important fields as well as to explore the interplay between them. The complete study of dense stellar systems is a very challenging task which requires the collaboration and the exchange of ideas of astronomers and physicists with observational and theoretical expertise in galactic and extra-galactic astronomy, stellar dynamics, hydrodynamics, stellar evolution, as well as knowledge of many aspects of computational physics. IAU Symposium 246 brought together experts in all these areas to cover the broad field of dense stellar systems with particular emphasis on the interplay between them and on the comparison between observations and simulations. This volume provides a complete review of the most recent studies in this topical research.

Preface
Organizing committee
Conference participants
Part I. Cluster Formation and Early Evolution
Part II. Open Clusters
Part III. Globular Clusters
Part IV. Few-Body Systems
Part V. Binary Star Dynamics and its Interplay with Cluster Dynamical Evolution
Part VI. Exotic Stellar Populations
Part VII. Globular Cluster Systems
Part VIII. Computational Aspects of Simulations of Dense Stellar Systems
Author index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]