The Road to Galaxy Formation [Hardcover]

The formation of galaxies is one of the greatest puzzles in astronomy, the solution is shrouded in the depths of space and time, but has profound implications for the universe we observe today. This book discusses the beginnings of the process from cosmological observations and calculations. It examines the different theories of galaxy formation and shows where each theory either succeeds or fails in explaining what we actually observe. In addition, the book looks ahead to what we may expect to uncover about the epoch of galaxy formation from the new and upcoming generations of telescopes and technology.

This book discusses the beginnings of the process of galaxy formation from cosmological observations and calculations. It also considers the broad features of galaxies that we need to explain and what we know of their later history.

A cosmological cartoon.- Galaxies today.- The fossil record in nearby galaxies.- Measuring galaxies.- Galaxy evolution.- The intergalactic medium.- The initial conditions before galaxy formation.- Active galactic nuclei in the early universe.- Approaching the Dark Ages.- The processes of galaxy formation.- Forward to the pastwhat can new eyes expect to see?.

From the reviews of the second edition:

The work is clearly a labor of love. It immerses the reader in a thorough explanation of the latest data from modern ground- and space-based observatories. From Hubbles original galaxy classification system to the standard cosmological model, it is all here. This is a well-organized, well-placed, and thoroughly referenced golden review of galactic formation and evolution--a must have for any serious student or scientist in the field. Summing Up: Essential. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections. (T. D. Oswalt, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (8), 2008)

Keel explores in this book & that the assembly of galaxies as we now see them has l“%