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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.
E-Book Content
The Road to Galaxy Formation (Second Edition)
William C. Keel
The Road to Galaxy Formation Second Edition
Published in association with
Praxis Publishing Chichester, UK
Professor William Keel University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Alabama USA
SPRINGER±PRAXIS BOOKS IN ASTRONOMY AND PLANETARY SCIENCES SUBJECT ADVISORY EDITORS: Philippe Blondel, C.Geol., F.G.S., Ph.D., M.Sc., Senior Scientist, Department of Physics, University of Bath, UK; John Mason, M.Sc., B.Sc., Ph.D.
ISBN 978-3-540-72534-3 Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York Springer is part of Springer-Science + Business Media (springer.com) Library of Congress Control Number: 2007928348 Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers. # Praxis Publishing Ltd, Chichester, UK, 2007 Printed in Germany The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a speci®c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: Jim Wilkie Project management: Originator Publishing Services Ltd, Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk, UK Printed on acid-free paper
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ix
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
xiii
List of ®gures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
xv
List of abbreviations and acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
xix
1
A cosmological cartoon . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 A standard cosmology . . . . . . . . 1.1.1 The cosmological principle 1.1.2 The Hubble expansion . . . 1.2 The Einstein connection . . . . . . . 1.3 In¯ation in cosmology . . . . . . . . 1.4 The Universe accelerates . . . . . . . 1.5 Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2
Galaxies today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 Patterns in the mist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 Galaxy components and quantitative classi®cation 2.3 Disks, bulges, and dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4 Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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