This book is a quantitative introduction to what is known or theorized about the structure and evolution of galactic systems. It begins with a general introduction to galaxies and a summary of our empirical observations of galaxies in the universe, including our own. There are then three chapters on galactic structure: the manner in which motions of stars determine galactic shape, the determination of galactic masses, and the structure of discs in spirals. Galactic evolution, especially changes in chemical composition over time, is then covered. The book concludes with a discussion of the origin of galaxies and their relation to more general questions in cosmology. The presentation is sufficiently mathematical so that quantitative results can be discussed in detail. Throughout, the author stresses what are currently accepted results and what theories may need revision in what continues to be a rapidly developing subject.
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"...a valuable summary for both specialist and nonspecialist readers." P.J.E. Peebles, Choice
Book Description
A quantitative introduction to what is known or theorized about the structure and evolution of galaxies--large systems of stars containing interstellar gas, dust and invisible matter--is sufficiently mathematical so that quantitative results can be discussed in detail.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Semi-popular book,
By Tomas Rodriguez (Spain) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Galaxies: Structure and Evolution (Paperback)
This book uses a semi-popular approach. The author covers lots of topics related to galactic structure and evolution; including the most usual subjects: observations, morphology, stellar and galactic dynamics, chemical composition and cosmology. But also covers other less popular issues such as interstellar material, cosmic rays, chemical evolution, etc. However, due to the limited size of the book, none of these topics is treated in great detail. The book is written from a qualitative rather than a quantitative perspective. The mathematical content of the book is very superficial and the few formulas included are not very clarifying.The author always keeps close to the observational phenomena. This is very satisfying since for every new phenomena introduced there is always a comparison between the predictions and the observations. The book is very entertaining and easy to read. It is aimed at readers who want to go one step beyond the mass of popular books dealing with galaxies. A summary section at the end of every chapter is very convenient to help the reader refresh the learnt knowledge. The price is also great.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
In the medieval world picture the stars were regarded as points of light attached to a sphere, whose surface was a long way outside the Solar System but whose volume was thought to be very much smaller than the space which we now know the stars to occupy. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
hot big bang cosmological theory, massive haloes, central nuclear bulge, galactic midplane, flattened galaxies, prompt initial enrichment, high velocity stars, interacting elementary particles, solar neighbourhood, galactic shape, low heavy element abundance, galactic type, heavy element content, most massive galaxies, isolating integral, same surface temperature, observed rotation curve, galactic masses, main sequence fitting, galactic centre, mass discrepancy, intergalactic matter, general interstellar medium, abundance gradients, other spiral galaxies Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Virial Theorem, Magellanic Clouds, Milky Way, Hale Observatories, Royal Observatory, Schmidt Telescope, Coma Berenices, Small Magellanic Cloud New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
In the medieval world picture the stars were regarded as points of light attached to a sphere, whose surface was a long way outside the Solar System but whose volume was thought to be very much smaller than the space which we now know the stars to occupy. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
hot big bang cosmological theory, massive haloes, central nuclear bulge, galactic midplane, flattened galaxies, prompt initial enrichment, high velocity stars, interacting elementary particles, solar neighbourhood, galactic shape, low heavy element abundance, galactic type, heavy element content, most massive galaxies, isolating integral, same surface temperature, observed rotation curve, galactic masses, main sequence fitting, galactic centre, mass discrepancy, intergalactic matter, general interstellar medium, abundance gradients, other spiral galaxies Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Virial Theorem, Magellanic Clouds, Milky Way, Hale Observatories, Royal Observatory, Schmidt Telescope, Coma Berenices, Small Magellanic Cloud New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 19
books:
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7
books
cite this book:
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- Theory of the Potential by W.D. Macmillan on page 119, and Back Matter
- The Realm of the Nebulae (The Silliman Memorial Lectures Series) by Edwin Hubble in Back Matter
- The Physics of the Interstellar Medium, Second Edition (Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics) by J.E Dyson in Back Matter
- Galactic Astronomy (Princeton Series in Astrophysics) by James Binney in Back Matter
- Cosmology: The Science of the Universe by Edward Harrison in Back Matter
See all 19 books this book cites
- Observational Astrophysics by Robert C. Smith in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Our Evolving Universe by Malcolm S. Longair in Back Matter
- The New Physics by Paul Davies on page 207
- Journeys to the Ends of the Universe: A guided tour of the beginnings and endings of planets, stars, galaxies and the universe by C.R. Kitchin in Back Matter
- Supernova Search Charts and Handbook Pack/Set ICL by Gregg D. Thompson in Back Matter
See all 7 books citing this book
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