The rapidly expanding field of galaxy formation lies at the interface between astronomy, particle physics, and cosmology. Covering diverse topics from these disciplines, all of which are needed to understand how galaxies form and evolve, Galaxy Formation and Evolution is ideal for researchers entering the field. Individual chapters explore the evolution of the Universe as a whole and its particle and radiation content; linear and nonlinear growth of cosmic structure; processes affecting the gaseous and dark matter components of galaxies and their stellar populations; the formation of spiral and elliptical galaxies; central supermassive black holes and the activity associated with them; galaxy interactions; and the intergalactic medium. Emphasizing both observational and theoretical aspects, Galaxy Formation and Evolution provides a coherent introduction for astronomers, cosmologists, and astroparticle physicists to the broad range of science underlying the formation and evolution of galaxies.
1. Introduction
2. Observational facts
3. Cosmological background
4. Cosmological perturbations
5. Gravitational collapse and collisionless dynamics
6. Probing the cosmic density field
7. Formation and structure of dark matter halos
8. Formation and evolution of gaseous halos
9. Star formation in galaxies
10. Stellar populations and chemical evolution
11. Disk galaxies
12. Galaxy interactions and transformations
13. Elliptical galaxies
14. Active galaxies
15. Statistical properties of the galaxy population
16. The intergalactic medium
Appendices
References
Index
Houjun Mo is Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Massachusetts. He is known for his work on the formation and clustering of galaxies and their dark matter halos.
Frank van den Bosch is Associate Professor at the University of Utah, and is known for his studies of the formation, dynamics, and clustering of galaxies.
Simon White is Director at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Garching. He is one of the originators of the modern theory of galaxy formation and has received numerous international prizes and honors.
"Mo, van den Bosch, and White have written a comprehensive text on the modern subject of galaxy formation and evolution. The book is fully self-contained, covering the basic theory in depth, and including the essential background material on observations and the relevant theory from extragalactic astronomy, stellar astrophysics, and cosmology. It will serve as an indispensable reference for students and researchers alike, and is destined to become a classic in this field."
- Robert C. Kennicutt, Jr, Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy, and Director, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
"Unraveling the origin and growth of cosmic structures, from the simplicity of the Big Bang to the complexity of the modern Universe, is an unparalleled achievement of modern science. Written by renowned world experts, this book presents a clear, systematic and comprehensive exposition of the physics and mathematics underlying these breathtaking advances. It is compulsory reading not only for those aspiring to contribute to our growing understanding of the cosmos, but for all those who appreciate the beauty and power of contemporary physical science."
- Carlos S. Frenk, Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics, and Director, Institute for Computational Cosmology, Durham University
"[...] an ideal introduction for anyone with a minimal background in astrophysics who wishes to enter the field of large-scale structure formation. [...] a comprehensive review of relevant topics [...]"
- Physics Today