A major fraction of star formation in the universe occurs in starbursts. These regions of particularly rapid star formation are often located towards the centers of host galaxies. Studies of this kind of star formation at high redshift have produced astonishing results over recent years that were only possible with the latest generation of large ground-based and space telescopes. The papers collected in this volume present these results in the context of the much firmer foundation of star formation in the local universe, and they emphasize all the important topics, from star formation in different environments to the cosmic star formation history.

Proceedings of the 116th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union, held at Porto Heli, Greece, May 26-31, 1985

Interstellar and solar system solids are different stages of the same materials. In this book, the sources and evolution of circumstellar dust, interstellar dust, comets, meteorites and interplanetary dust are carefully discussed in the context of their interrelations. One of the major questions raised is: how do characteristically 1/10 micron interstellar dust particles evolve to rocky materials 1000 times larger or more? The closest we appear to be getting in relating interstellar dust to particles in the solar system is the evidence for submicron organic coated particles in interplanetary dust particles collected in the upper atmosphere, which allow direct laboratory investigation on Earth. What we know about comets, however, either results from remote observation or space measurements in situ. Comet volatiles compare very well with interstellar ices. These astrophysical problems bring to bear a very wide range of theoretical, observational and laboratory expertise in such fields as astronomy, physics and chemistry and, with the evidence of complex prebiotic organics in meteorites.

This book provides an accessible introduction to the fascinating and topical subject of black holes. It bridges the gap between popular non-mathematical expositions and advanced research texts, using simple undergraduate level calculations and the most basic knowledge of relativity to explain current research. This means the theory can be understood by a wide audience of physicists, including those who are not necessarily interested in learning higher-level mathematical techniques.The third edition links more of the current research trends to fundamental aspects of the physics of black holes. Additionally: This new edition introduces a chapter dedicated to a selection of recent results. Existing chapters have been updated and new explanatory material has been added to aid in the understanding of the physics.This book is recommended reading for advanced undergraduate students and first-year postgraduates who will find it a useful stepping-stone to the advanced literature.

This book provides an accessible introduction to the fascinating and topical subject of black holes. It bridges the gap between popular non-mathematical expositions and advanced research texts, using simple undergraduate level calculations and the most basic knowledge of relativity to explain current research. This means the theory can be understood by a wide audience of physicists, including those who are not necessarily interested in learning higher-level mathematical techniques.The third edition links more of the current research trends to fundamental aspects of the physics of black holes. Additionally: This new edition introduces a chapter dedicated to a selection of recent results. Existing chapters have been updated and new explanatory material has been added to aid in the understanding of the physics.This book is recommended reading for advanced undergraduate students and first-year postgraduates who will find it a useful stepping-stone to the advanced literature.

This research monograph presents a new dynamical framework for the study of secular morphological evolution of galaxies along the Hubble sequence. Classical approaches based on Boltzmann's kinetic equation, as well as on its moment-equation descendants the Euler and Navier-Stokes fluid equations, are inadequate for treating the maintenance and long-term evolution of systems containing self-organized structures such as galactic density-wave modes. A global and synthetic approach, incorporating correlated fluctuations of the constituent particles during a nonequilibrium phase transition, is adopted to supplement the continuum treatment. The cutting-edge research combining analytical, N-body simulational, and observational aspects, as well as the fundamental-physics connections it provides, make this work a valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, many-body physics, complexity theory, and other related fields. Contents Dynamical Drivers of Galaxy Evolution N-Body Simulations of Galaxy Evolution Astrophysical Implications of the Dynamical Theory Putting It All Together Concluding Remarks Appendix: Relation to Kinetics and Fluid Mechanics

Most galaxies are in clusters, where tidal interactions are not uncommon. Tidal and dynamical interaction in galaxies are of importance in studying evolution. A large amount of data has been collected on dust-lane ellipticals, polar ring galaxies, spirals with extended warps, and galaxies with inclined HI rings or unusual 'tails'. This book is a record of a meeting which was held at the University of Pittsburgh. It provided an informal, yet focused environment for the interaction of astronomers who have addressed these questions with a wide variety of skills, techniques and points of view.

Analyses of photometric time series obtained from the MOST, CoRoT and Kepler space missions were presented at the 20th conference on Stellar Pulsations (Granada, September 2011). These results are leading to a re-appraisal of our views on stellar pulsation in some stars and posing some new and unexpected challenges. The very important and exciting role played by innovative ground-based observational techniques, such as interferometric measurements of giant pulsating stars and high-resolution spectroscopy in the near infrared, is also discussed. These Proceedings are distinguished by the format of the conference, which brings together a variety of related but different topics not found in other meetings of this nature.

The successful launch on November 17, 1995 of ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) by means of an Ariane 4 carrier, has set in motion a true revolution in quantitative infrared astronomy. For the first time since the very successful IRAS mission in 1983, the astronomical community has uninterrupted access to the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The four focal plane instruments on board of ISO ( the camera ISOCAM, the photometerjcamera ISOPHOT, and the short and long wavelength spec trographs ISO-SWS and ISO-LWS), perform very well and live up to the high expectations all of us had at launch. In the spring of 1996, Thijs de Graauw (principal investigator of the SWS) first suggested the idea to organize a conference dedicated to ISO re sults in the area of stars and circumstellar matter, and coined the title ISO 's View on Stellar Evolution. At the first scientific meeting to highlight some of the early ISO results which was held in May of 1996 at ESA's laboratory ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, the conference was announced and a preliminary science organizing committee was formed. The conference was held from July 1 to 4, 1997, in conference centre de Leeuwenhorst, Noord wijkerhout, the Netherlands. The conference was opened by the Director of ESA 's Science Programme, Professor R. Bonnet."

These proceedings present observational and theoretical results on cataclysmic variables (CVs). Main topics include: interrelations among CVs; theory and evolution of classical, recurrent, symbiotic novae; dwarf novae, nova-like and accretion-induced phenomena; the role of magnetic fields in CV evolution; CVs as possible precursors of SNI-a; and links between CVs and super-soft X-ray sources. The work should be useful for astronomers interested in cataclysmic variables.

This thesis by Cole Johnston brings novel insights into the inner workings of young massive stars. By bridging the observational fields of binary stars and asteroseismology this thesis uses state of the art statistical techniques to scrutinise theories of modern stellar astrophysics. Developing upon the commonly used isochrone fitting methodology, the author introduces the idea of isochrone cloud fitting in order to account for the full breadth of physics observed in stars. The author combines this methodology with gravity mode asteroseismic analysis to asses the level of chemical mixing deep within the stellar core in order to determine the star's age and core mass. Wrapped into a robust statistical framework to account for correlations, this methodology is employed to analyse individual stars, multiple systems, and clusters alike to demonstrate that chemical mixing has dramatic impact on stellar structure and evolution.

Proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 76 held at Cornell University, Ithaca NY, USA, 6-10 June 1977

I. Cosmic Rays and the Interstellar Medium.- A Brief Introduction to the Cosmic Radiation.- The Composition of the Cosmic Rays: An Update.- Interstellar Dust-Gas Relationships.- Dust, Gas and Cosmic Rays in the Interstellar Medium.- Comparison Between Greenberg and Mathis Models of Grains for the H2 Formation Induced by Cosmic Rays.- II. Supernovae, Acceleration, Propagation and Source Composition.- Shock Acceleration of Cosmic Rays.- Source Composition, Sites of Origin And Acceleration of Cosmic Rays.- Cosmic-Ray Age and the Interstellar Medium.- The Production of Antiprotons in the Interstellar Gas by Propagating Cosmic Rays.- The Source Composition of Galactic Cosmic Rays and the Condensation Process of the Elements in Circumstellar and Interstellar Gases.- The Distribution of Supernova Remnants in the Galaxy.- Gamma Rays from Supernova 1987A.- Acceleration of Cosmic Rays at Young Supernova Remnants.- The Effect of Relativistic Particle Beams on the Evolution of Supernova Envelopes: Self-Consistent Solutions.- Radio Spectral Variations in the Cygnus Loop.- III. Gamma Rays and Their Role as Cosmic Ray Tracers.- Gamma Ray Astrophysics at Energies up to 10 Gev.- Vhe and UHE Gamma Ray Sources.- Gamma-Rays from Electron, Proton Beam Interactions with Matter and/or Radiation: Application to Cygx-L, Geminga, and 3C273.- Gamma Rays and Neutrinos from Accretion Processes onto Collapsed Objects: Application to 3C273.- Nearby Galaxies in Highenergy Gamma Rays.- IV. Ultra-Energetic Cosmic Nuclei.- Cosmic Rays at the Highest Energies.- Participants.- Author Index.

Starbursts are important features of early galaxy evolution. Many of the distant, high-redshift galaxies we are able to detect are in a starbursting phase, often apparently provoked by a violent gravitational interaction with another galaxy. In fact, if we did not know that major starbursts existed, these conference proceedings testify that we would indeed have difficulties explaining the key properties of the Universe! These conference proceedings cover starbursts from the small-scale star-forming regions in nearby galaxies to galaxy-wide events at high redshifts; one of the major themes of the conference proved to be "scalability," i.e., can we scale up the small-scale events to describe the physics on larger scales. The key outcome of this meeting a" and these proceedings a" is a resounding "yes" as answer to this fundamental, yet profound question. The enhanced synergy facilitated by the collaboration among observers using cutting-edge ground and space-based facilities, theorists and modellers has made these proceedings into a true reflection of the state of the art in this very rapidly evolving field.

Ample space is provided for summaries of the large number of talks by experts in the field, while the high-quality poster contributions are all contained on the accompanying CD-ROM, thus enhancing the information content.

More than two centuries have elapsed since the story of interacting binary stars began with the rediscovery of the variability of Algol by John Goodricke and the interpretation he proposed for explaining the regular periodic brightness variations which he found. Over this long span of time our knowledge about these systems has been growing, and we have now reached a fairly good understanding of the structure and behaviour of this interesting group of objects. This book contains a timely summary of our present knowledge of interacting binary stars. The chapters have been written by distinguished scientists who have done relevant research in the field of interacting binary stars.

This book presents in a simple style the success story of modern astrophysics - how the application of known physics to models of stars can, together with the observational data, help us understand what stars are made of, how they live and how they die. The account is non-technical but scientifically accurate. It is interspersed with anecdotes and analogies to make the subject matter readable and understandable even to a lay reader with some basic scientific background.

The nonlinear theory of oscillating systems has introduced new aspects to the study of variable stars. Beyond the comparison of linear periods and the estimate of stability, the appearance and disappearance of possible models can be studied in detail. While nonlinearity in stellar pulsations is not a very complicated concept, it generally requires extensive and sometimes sophisticated numerical studies. The development of appropriate computational tools has allowed us to apply the nonlinear theory to real phenomena in variable stars. The International Astronomical Union Colloquium No. 134 presents a review of the new frontiers of variable star studies, one which should encourage further development of this field.

The search for Dark Matter in the Universe has established itself as one of the most exciting and central fields of astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. The lectures and talks in this book emphasize the experimental and theoretical status and future perspectives, stressing in particular the interplay between astro- and particle physics.

ThlS volume contalns a serles of lectures presented at the NATO Advanced Study Instltute on Hlgh Energy Phenomena Around Collapsed Stars, held ln Cargese, CorSlca from September 2 tlll Septemcer 13, 1985. The course was planned ln collaboratlon wlth a SClentlflC Organiz ing Commlttee (C. Cesarsky, France; A. Lyne, U.K.; D. Plnes, USA; J. Trlimper, W. Germany; E. Van den Heuvel, The Netherlands and L. Wolt]er, E.S.O., Mlinlch) and was fully supported by the NATO SClentlflc Affalrs Dlvlsion. It was organized wlth the alm of provldlng students and young researchers with an up-to-date account on the subject of galactlc hlgh energy astrophyslCS and was attended by about 60 researchers from many countrles. The lectures and seminars dld represent a complete coverage of our present knowledge and understandlng of Supernovae, Supernovae Remnants, Pulsars, sources of hlgh energy photons and partlcles. Most of them are reproduced ln thlS volume although unfortunately a few speakers chose not to submlt thelr text Slnce they felt that the materlal was already amply avallable ln the eXlstlng llterature. I wlsh to express my gratltude to the SClentlflc Affalrs Dlvislon of the North Atlantlc Treaty Organlzatlon for the generous support glven to the Instltute and to the lecturers and particlpants who contributed so much to the success of the course."

This book presents the proceedings of the IVth Azores International Advanced School in Space Sciences entitled "Asteroseismology and Exoplanets: Listening to the Stars and Searching for New Worlds". The school addressed the topics at the forefront of scientific research being conducted in the fields of asteroseismology and exoplanetary science, two fields of modern astrophysics that share many synergies and resources. These proceedings comprise the contributions from 18 invited lecturers, including both monographic presentations and a number of hands-on tutorials.

This book serves as a good introduction to the physics of pulsars by explaining the subject matter in simple terms which are understandable to both undergraduate physics students and also the general public. On the Pulsar links together ideas about physics, informatics and biology, and contains many original examples, problems and solutions. It starts with simple examples about the regular structures that are possible in strong magnetic fields and the author then suggests that special conditions on the pulsar can result in some forms of self-organization. It will also make a valuable teaching guide.

In addition to being fascinating astrophysical laboratories in their own right, Herbig-Haro flows have in recent years emerged as key phenomena in our attempts to understand the complex and violent processes that govern the birth of low mass stars. This work provides an overview of the major advances which the study of Herbig-Haro jets has enjoyed since 1995. On the observational side, Hubble Space Telescope images have revealed the intricate details of the shock structures in these supersonic flows, millimetre interferometry and infrared imaging can now probe the detailed structure of the molecular component of deeply embedded jets, and sub-millimetre and radio continuum maps now enable us to study the near environment of the optically invisible driving sources of jets. On the theoretical side, detailed numerical and analytical magnetohydrodynamic models have reached a level of sophistication that allows realistic comparison with observations and insights into the jet formation mechanisms. Similarly detailed observational and theoretical studies of the disks and winds of T Tauri stars are now gradually being linked to the Herbig-Haro flows, providing a first glimpse of how stars can be born by both accreting and ejecting infalling material.

1-Pre-White Dwarf Evolution and White Dwarf Cooling.- New pre-white dwarf evolutionary tracks.- Influence of the phase diagram in the cooling of white dwarfs.- PG1159 stars and the PNN-white dwarf connection.- Analysis of the soft X-ray data from the central star of NGC 7293.- Planetary Nebulae Nuclei with white dwarf spectra.- Atmospheric parameters of subluminous B stars.- White dwarf space densities and birth rates reconsidered.- A spectroscopic determination of the mass distribution of DA white dwarfs.- The age and formation of the Galaxy: clues from the white dwarf luminosity function.- Early results from the ROSAT Wide Field Camera.- The stellar component of the Hamburg Schmidt Survey.- White dwarfs in the Hamburg Schmidt Survey.- 2-Asteroseismology of White Dwarfs.- Asteroseismology of white dwarf stars with the Whole Earth Telescope.- A measurement of the evolutionary timescale of the cool white dwarf G117-B15A with WET.- On the interpretation of the dP/dt measurement in G117-B15A.- The boundaries of the ZZ Ceti instability strip.- Long term variations in ZZ Cetis: G191-16 and HL Tau 76.- Predicting the white dwarf light curves.- A wavelet analysis of the ZZ Ceti star G191 16.- An adiabatic survey for ZZ Ceti stars based on a finite element code.- A study of period change rates in post-AGB stars I. PG 1159-035.- Nonadiabatic nonradial pulsations for DAV white dwarf stars.- 3-Atmospheres and Envelopes.- NLTE Analysis of four PG1159 stars.- A search for trace amounts of hydrogen in DB stars.- Abundances of trace heavy elements in hot DA white dwarfs.- New results on radiative forces on iron in hot white dwarfs.- The effective temperature of the DBV's, and the sensitivity of DB model atmospheres to input physics.- The modified hydrostatic equilibrium equations for stratified high gravity stellar atmospheres.- The DBAQ G35-26.- LP 790-29: preliminary model atmospheres for this strongly polarized carbon white dwarf.- Some effect of the UV radiation from white dwarfs on the accretion of interstellar hydrogen.- Convection in white dwarfs: application of CM theory to helium envelope WDs.- Abundances in cool DZA and DAZ white dwarfs: new results using laboratory damping constants.- Evidence for fractionated accretion of metals on cool white dwarfs.- A new look at old friends: 40 Eri B and GD 323.- The Lyman Alpha line wing in hydrogen-rich white dwarf atmospheres.- Atmospheric parameters for DA white dwarfs in the vicinity of the ZZ Ceti instability strip.- Space Telescope observations of white dwarf stars.- 4-White Dwarfs in Binaries.- A deep spectroscopic survey of white dwarfs in common proper motion binaries.- Double degenerate common proper motion binaries.- Close binary white dwarfs.- New results on cataclysmic variable white dwarfs.- Whole Earth Telescope observations of the interacting white dwarf binary system AM CVn: first results.- IUE observations of V803 Cen in high and low states.- Whole Earth Telescope observations of PG1346+082.- On the origin of LMXRBS: the ONEMG case.

This book presents the status of research on very massive stars in the Universe. While it has been claimed that stars with over 100 solar masses existed in the very early Universe, recent studies have also discussed the existence and deaths of stars up to 300 solar masses in the local Universe. This represents a paradigm shift for the stellar upper-mass limit, which may have major implications far beyond the field of stellar physics. The book comprises 7 chapters, which describe this discipline and provide sufficient background and introductory content for graduate (PhD) students and researchers from different branches of astronomy to be able to enter this exciting new field of very massive stars.

The presentations of this NATO Advanced Study Institute centre around X-ray clusters of galaxies and their role in understanding the structure and evolution of the universe. Reminiscences of the beginning of the extra-solar X-ray astronomy some 30 years ago, of subsequent X-ray satellites which, among other discoveries, found galaxy clusters to be an important new class of intrinsically bright X-ray sources, and highlights from the most recent All Sky Survey by ROSAT serve as an introduction. The topics range from X-ray clusters and cluster environments to cluster masses and dynamics, cooling flows and chemical abundances, cluster lensing and the Sunyaev-Sel'dovich effect, cluster formation and evolution to large-scale structure in the universe and cosmological parameters. The reviews, introducing the various topics, generally conclude with presentations of current and future work and are frequently followed by shorter research notes pertaining to ongoing projects. More than 200 figures illustrate the discussions, more than 20 tables and many quotations in the text provide numerical data for almost 100 clusters of galaxies and give new estimates for the cosmological parameters. Together with a sample of equations, this text should constitute a useful collection of empirical and theoretical quantities and relations in extragalactic X-ray astronomy and cosmology.