The Nuclei of Normal Galaxies: Lessons from the Galactic Center: 445 (Nato Science Series C:, 445) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0792331583 ISBN 13: 9780792331582

Publisher: Springer, 1994

Synopsis

Our Galactic center's proximity allows astronomers to study physical pro­ cesses within galactic nuclei at a level of detail that will never be possible in the more distant, but usually also more spectacular, extragalactic systems. Recent advances in instrumentation from the radio, through the submillime­ ter and infrared wavebands, and out to the X- and "'(-ray bands now allow observations of the Galactic Center over thirteen orders of magnitude in wave­ length. Our knowledge about the central few hundred parsecs of our Galaxy has consequently increased vastly over the past decade. The same new instru­ ments provide high resolution, high quality measurements of nearby ''normal'' galactic nuclei; that is, nuclei whose modest energy output is comparable to that of our own (and most other) galaxies. Theorists, spurred in part by the new observations, have been able to refine models of the energetics, dynam­ ics, and evolution of the gas and stellar systems deep within galactic nuclei.

About this title

Synopsis

This book contains written versions of the material presented during an intensive workshop on the topic: 'Nuclei of Normal Galaxies: Lessons from the Galactic Center'. These contributions summarize the present knowledge of the conditions in our own galactic nucleus and how these extend to moderately active nuclei in external galaxies. The authors are among the foremost researchers in the field, with specialties ranging from theory to observations at gamma-ray through radio wavelengths. Fifty-five articles cover high-energy processes, gas and stellar dynamics, the structure and energetics of the Galactic center, nuclear stellar clusters, and central black holes, at a level suitable for practicing astronomers and graduate students.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792331583
• ISBN 13: 9780792331582
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 525
• Editor: Genzel R., Harris Andrew I.