The Ages of Stars (IAU S258)

IAU S258 discusses the problem of estimating ages of stars and stellar populations, a difficult challenge in astrophysics.

Eric E. Mamajek (Edited by), David R. Soderblom (Edited by), Rosemary F. G. Wyse (Edited by)

9780521889896, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 June 2009

490 pages, 279 b/w illus. 26 tables
25.4 x 17.8 x 2.5 cm, 1 kg

Estimating accurate stellar ages is one of the most difficult challenges in astrophysics. A star's age cannot be measured directly, and currently we only know the accurate age for one star: the Sun. Stellar ages lie at the heart of much of astrophysics. The accurate determination of timescales for physical processes in the stars allows us to compare the properties of stars at different stages in their lives. In IAU Symposium 258 astrophysicists from around the world discuss the current state of the problem of estimating ages of stars and stellar populations. They describe their efforts to better constrain the ages of individual stars and groups of stars through improved observations and physical models. IAU S258 highlights where the advances are being made and predicts what the near future offers.

Preface
Part I. The Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies Guido De Marchi
Part II. Ages of Young Stars Michal Simon
Part III. Models of Stars and Tests of Models Sylvie Vauclair
Part IV. Globular Clusters and Old Open Clusters Rosemary Wyse
Part V. White Dwarfs Robert Rood
Part VI. Brown Dwarfs Michael Liu
Part VII. Age-related Properties of Solar-type Stars Fred Walter
Part VIII. Asteroseismology and the Sun Jeff Valenti
Part IX. Nucleochronology John Stauffer
Author index
Object index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Galaxies & stars [PGM]