Globular Cluster Systems

A comprehensive review of globular cluster systems - for researchers and graduate students.

Keith M. Ashman (Author), Stephen E. Zepf (Author)

9780521087834, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 December 2008

184 pages, 2 b/w illus. 2 tables
21 x 15 x 0.9 cm, 0.3 kg

Review of the hardback: 'For those working on globular clusters this book is an excellent reference and I would also recommend it to those working in galaxy formation.' Simon Goodwin, The Observatory

Globular clusters are roughly spherical, densely packed groups of stars found around galaxies. Most globular clusters probably formed at the same time as their host galaxies. They therefore provide a unique fossil record of the conditions during the formation and early evolution of galaxies. This volume presents a comprehensive review of globular cluster systems. It summarizes their observed properties, and shows how these constrain models of the structure of stars, the formation and evolution of galaxies and globular clusters, and the age of the Universe. For graduate students and researchers, this volume provides the definitive reference on globular cluster systems.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Properties of globular clusters
3. The galactic globular cluster system
4. Globular cluster systems in nearby galaxies
5. Properties of extragalactic globular cluster systems
6. Globular clusters and galaxy formation
7. The formation of globular clusters
8. Future prospects
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]