Structure Formation in Astrophysics

by Edited by Gilles Chabrier

• ISBN13: 9780521182744
• ISBN10: 0521182743
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-17
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Understanding the formation of objects at all scales in the universe, from galaxy clusters to stars and planets, is a major problem in modern astrophysics, and one of the most exciting challenges of twenty-first century astronomy. Even though they are characterized by different scales, the formation of planets, stars and galaxies share many common physical processes and are rooted in the same underlying domains of physics. This unique reference for graduate students and researchers in astrophysics was the first to cover structure formation on various scales in one volume. This book gathers together extensive reviews written by world experts in physics and astrophysics working in planet, star and galaxy formation, and related subjects. It addresses current issues in these fields and describes the recent observational status and theoretical and numerical methods aimed at understanding these problems.

Table of Contents

Physical Processes and Numerical Methods Common to Structure Formations in Astrophysics:

The physics of turbulence

The numerical simulation of turbulence

Numerical methods for radiation magnetohydrodynamics in astrophysics

The role of jets in the formation of planets, stars, and galaxies

Advanced numerical methods in astrophysical fluid dynamics

Structure and Star Formation in the Primordial Universe:

New frontiers in cosmology and galaxy formation challenges for the future

Galaxy formation physics

First stars formation, evolution, feedback effects

Contemporary Star and Brown Dwarf Formation: a) Cloud Formation and Fragmentation:

Diffuse interstellar medium and the formation of molecular clouds

The formation of distributed and clustered stars in molecular clouds

b) Core Fragmentation and Star Formation:

The formation and evolution of prestellar cores

Models for the formation of massive stars

Protoplanetary Disks and Planet Formation

Observational properties of disks and young stellar objects

Structure and dynamics of protoplanetary disks

Planet formation and evolution theory and observation

Planet formation assembling the puzzle

Summary:

Open issues in small- and large-scale structure formation

Final word

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