This book provides a modern introduction to the study of star formation, at a level suitable for graduate students or advanced undergraduates in astrophysics. The first third of the book provides a review of the observational phenomenology and then the basic physical processes that are important for star formation. The remainder then discusses the major observational results and theoretical models for star formation on scales from galactic down to planetary. The book includes recommendations for complementary reading from the research literature, as well as five problem sets with solutions.
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Contents:Introduction and Phenomenology:Observing the Cold Interstellar MediumObserving Young StarsPhysical Processes:Chemistry and ThermodynamicsGas Flows and TurbulenceMagnetic Fields and Magnetized TurbulenceGravitational Instability and CollapseStellar FeedbackStar Formation Processes and Problems:Giant Molecular CloudsThe Star Formation Rate at Galactic Scales: ObservationsThe Star Formation Rate at Galactic Scales: TheoryStellar ClusteringThe Initial Mass Function: ObservationsThe Initial Mass Function: TheoryProtostellar Disks and Outflows: ObservationsProtostellar Disks and Outflows: TheoryProtostar FormationProtostellar EvolutionMassive Star FormationThe First StarsLate-Stage Stars and DisksThe Transition to Planet Formation
Readership: Undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers interested in astrophysics.
