From Interstellar Clouds To Star Forming Galaxies

The link between the structure of the interstellar medium in galaxies and the star formation process is a fast-growing area of astrophysical research. The availability of wide-field far-infrared and submillimeter surveys with various space observatories, coupled with the improved capabilities of ground-based millimeter and submillimeter interferometers, has led to spectacular advances in our understanding of star formation modes from solar system scales to galaxy scales. IAU Symposium 315 aims to build a coherent picture of how star formation is fueled on a wide range of scales. Bringing together researchers working on star formation throughout the Universe from nearby clouds to local galaxies to the first star-forming galaxies at high redshift, it makes connections between the latest observations and advanced numerical simulations. It also addresses critical issues, such as the origin and universality of the stellar initial mass function, the nature of star formation 'laws', and the role of feedback.

The link between the structure of the interstellar medium in galaxies and the star formation process is a fast-growing area of astrophysical research. The availability of wide-field far-infrared and submillimeter surveys with various space observatories, coupled with the improved capabilities of ground-based millimeter and submillimeter interferometers, has led to spectacular advances in our understanding of star formation modes from solar system scales to galaxy scales. IAU Symposium 315 aims to build a coherent picture of how star formation is fueled on a wide range of scales. Bringing together researchers working on star formation throughout the Universe from nearby clouds to local galaxies to the first star-forming galaxies at high redshift, it makes connections between the latest observations and advanced numerical simulations. It also addresses critical issues, such as the origin and universality of the stellar initial mass function, the nature of star formation 'laws', and the role of feedback. -- Publisher description.

The enormously powerful phenomena of starbursts are examined in this book. These spectacular star-forming events are seen on large scales in some galaxies, often triggered by galactic interactions. An intriguing implication of starburst research is that active galactic nuclei (AGN) may not be powered by accreting black holes. Instead theories are presented where compact powerhouses of dust-enshrouded star formation lie at the core of AGN, with supernovae exploding roughly once per year within massive nuclear concentrations of gas. This book collects articles from a timely international conference in Elba, Italy, in 1992; these comprise a thorough review of the most important developments in galactic-scale star formation since the starburst revolution of the late 1980s. This text will introduce graduate students to this exciting area and keep experts apace with rapid developments in it.

This book contains the elaborated and updated versions of the 24 lectures given at the 43rd Saas-Fee Advanced Course. Written by four eminent scientists in the field, the book reviews the physical processes related to star formation, starting from cosmological down to galactic scales. It presents a detailed description of the interstellar medium and its link with the star formation. And it describes the main numerical computational techniques designed to solve the equations governing self-gravitating fluids used for modelling of galactic and extra-galactic systems. This book provides a unique framework which is needed to develop and improve the simulation techniques designed for understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies. Presented in an accessible manner it contains the present day state of knowledge of the field. It serves as an entry point and key reference to students and researchers in astronomy, cosmology, and physics.

This book is a comprehensive treatment of star formation, one of the most active fields of modern astronomy. The reader is guided through the subject in a logically compelling manner. Starting from a general description of stars and interstellar clouds, the authors delineate the earliest phases of stellar evolution. They discuss formation activity not only in the Milky Way, but also in other galaxies, both now and in the remote past. Theory and observation are thoroughly integrated, with the aid of numerous figures and images. In summary, this volume is an invaluable resource, both as a text for physics and astronomy graduate students, and as a reference for professional scientists.

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.

The book begins with a historical introduction, "Star Formation: The Early History", that presents new material of interest for students and historians of science. This is followed by two long articles on "Pre-Main-Sequence Evolution of Stars and Young Clusters" and "Observations of Young Stellar Objects". These articles on the fascinating problem of star formation from interstellar matter give a thorough overview of present-day theories and observations. The articles contain material so far unpublished in the astronomical literature. The book addresses graduate students and can be used as a textbook for advanced courses in stellar astrophysics.

The origin of stars is one of the principle mysteries of nature. During the last two decades advances in technology have enabled more progress to be made in the quest to understand stellar origins than at any other time in history. The study of star formation has developed into one of the most important branches of mod ern astrophysical research. A large body of observational data and a considerable literat ure now exist concerning this topic and a 1arge community of international astronomers and physicists devote their efforts attempting to decipher the secrets of stellar birth. Yet, the young astronomerjphysicist or more advanced researcher desiring to obtain a basic background in this area of research must sift through a very diverse and sometimes bewildering literature. A literature which includes research in many discip1ines and sub discip1ines of classical astrophysics from stel lar structure to the interstellar medium and encompasses the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma rays. Often, the reward of a suc cessfu1 foray through the current literature is the realization that the results can be obsolete and outdated as soon as the ink is dry in the journal or the conference proceeding in which they are published.

Recent advances in the instrumentation used to observe star forming regions in both our own Milky Way and in external galaxies have transformed the subject from a phenomenological pursuit into an increasingly unified, physical science. High resolution centimetre, millimetre, infrared, and optical studies of local star forming clouds have allowed us to probe the physics of star formation down to spatial scales approaching those of the solar system. These developments make it possible to better constrain the basic physical processes underlying star formation itself. At the same time, these new instruments have placed extragalactic studies on a footing detailed enough to allow comparison with star forming regions within our own galaxy. This revolution means that we will soon be able to link the physics of local star forming regions to the global star forming properties of galaxies. The entire structure of this NATO Advanced Study Institute was designed to explore this new view of the subject. This Institute on "Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation" was held from June 21 -July 4, 1987 at the Conference Centre in the village of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The informal atmosphere of this lovely mountain resort stim ulated many valuable scientific exchanges. The Institute was funded by a major grant from NATO Scientific Affairs. Additional financial and I.I1oral assistance was provided by the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and Mc Master University.

Stellar Formation focuses on the properties, distributions, characteristics, and formation of stars and galaxies. The manuscript first offers information on locations of star formation, as well as the distribution of interstellar gas, clouds, and globules; spatial relationships between young stars and interstellar matter; and distribution of young stars. The book also tackles frequency distribution of stellar masses and aggregates of stars. The text ponders on the frequency distribution of cloud masses, rate and environment of star formation, and cloud structure in the interstellar gas. The publication also examines the fragmentation of clouds into protostars and the frequency distribution of protostar masses, rate of formation of stars, and evolution of galaxies. Discussions focus on random fragmentation, gravitational turbulence, and fragmentation induced by molecule formation. The manuscript is a vital reference for scientists and readers interested in stellar formation.