Star Clusters (IAU S266): Basic Galactic Building Blocks Throughout Time and Space (Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union Symposia and Colloquia)

Cambridge University Press
Edition: Illustrated, 2/4/2010
EAN 9780521764995, ISBN10: 0521764998

Hardcover, 594 pages, 25.4 x 18.3 x 2.8 cm
Language: English

Star clusters are important to many areas of astronomy, and as the basic building blocks of galaxies, they can be used as key diagnostic tools within a wide range of disciplines in astrophysics. Star cluster populations are powerful tracers of the formation, assembly and evolutionary history of their parent galaxies. Although their importance has been recognised for decades, only in recent years has this area seen a major investment in time and effort. IAU Symposium 266 consolidates the expertise of leading researchers from a variety of topical subfields in astrophysics, to provide a comprehensive presentation of cutting-edge developments in theory, observations and simulations of star clusters and star cluster systems across a range of sizes and epochs. This volume gives an account of this forefront research, answering fundamental questions that will improve our understanding of numerous related issues and show how this field will take its next major step forward.

Preface
1. Physics and modes of star cluster formation
2. Massive star clusters
formation, evolution, feedback and destruction
3. Star cluster systems
4. Globular cluster chemical evolution
5. Multiwavelength observations
6. Cluster dynamics
7. Star clusters as laboratories for stellar evolution
Symposium summary
Poster papers
Author index
Subject index
Object index.