The Birth of Stars and Planets

Star formation is the fundamental cosmic process which makes galaxies visible, and regulates the evolution of normal matter in the Universe. New instruments and technologies are now enabling the exploration of fundamental cosmic processes. Scientists are beginning to understand the beauty and complexity of star and planet formation and their role in cosmic evolution. This fascinating book combines the latest astronomical images and data with descriptions of the exciting recent developments in the study of star and planet formation. The authors discuss isolated star birth in dark clouds, the formation of star clusters and nebulae, the 'ecology' of interstellar gas and dust, and the violent starbursts that may produce black holes. They relate these processes to the evolution of galaxies and the origin of life on Earth. Written using non-technical language, the book will appeal to readers with an interest in understanding the Universe and our cosmic origins.

ISBN 0521801052   Pages 306 ISBN13 9780521801058 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Cambridge University Press   Weight (grammes) 1552 Imprint Cambridge University Press   Published in Cambridge Format Hardback   Height (mm) 276 Publication date 24 Aug 2006   Width (mm) 240 Library of Congress QB   Spine width (mm) 27 DEWEY 523.88   Academic level General, Tertiary education DEWEY edition DC22

1		Our cosmic backyard		3
2		Looking up at the night sky		15
3		The dark clouds of the Milky Way		29
4		Infant stars		45
5		Companions in birth : binary stars		62
6		Outflows from young stars		72
7		Towards adulthood		93
8		The social life of stars : stellar groups		109
9		Chaos in the nest : the brief lives of massive stars		122
10		Solar systems in the making		143
11		Messengers from the past		161
12		Hazards to planet formation		172
13		Planets around other stars		185
14		Cosmic cycles		199
15		Star formation in galaxies		217
16		The first stars and galaxies		238
17		Astrobiology, origins, and SETI		246

'Most of us imagine stars as big or small spheres of incandescent gas, but in the main all very similar to our Sun. Bally and Reipurth dispel that notion in this gripping book. The Birth of Stars and Planets takes the reader on a journey from the very moment interstellar gas, dust and ice starts to fell the vaguest of mutual attraction, right up to the moment stars veil themselves with a retinue of tiny planetary jewels ... This book is one that can be read from the beginning to end or used as part of a research project for simple reference.' Astronomy Now '... a book of marvellous clarity that summarises the current state of our knowledge in a fairly detailed but non-technical way that will appeal to all who have an interest in where it all begins ... illustrated throughout by many of the finest images from modern observatories ... and they are beautifully reproduced ... but it doesn't have a coffee-table feel about it - the illustrations are vital for the understanding of the extensive text ... a well-written, accessible summary of that story so far, with the promise of more wonders to be revealed.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association 'Besides having an excellent and clear description of how our current theories think stars are being born, this book has the most spectacular set of photographs I've seen collected in one book. ...This book is aimed at the casual, non-technical reader. It is 'math free.' But it still manages to convey the tremendous magnitude, majesty, and mysteries of the universe we can see.' Publisher Review '... written in an informal, chatty, and largely approachable style, and is liberally sprinkled with some of the most beautiful images our subject has to offer. ... the authors treat each aspect of the subject in careful and correct detail. ... I wished that some of our undergraduate students would read parts of the book to obtain a qualitative understanding of topics they sometimes do not grasp from our more orthodox, quantitative approach. Consequently I will be recommending it as background reading for our first-year students. ... the book appears to work on many levels: the quality of the pictures allows it to pose as a coffee-table book (something the authors point out that they do no want it to be!); the approachable style of the text means that the keen amateur will learn something of this subject; and the level of detail and rigorous explanation would also allow it to be used by students embarking on their first course in astronomy to get a good background overview before they become embroiled in the detailed mathematics of the subject. All in all the authors are to be congratulated on producing a very useful addition to the growing library of books on star formation.' The Observatory

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