IAU Symposium 271 enhances our understanding of some of the important dynamical processes that are ubiquitous in many objects in the Universe, from stars like our Sun to galaxies. A wide range of temporal and spatial scales are generally present, so instabilities, highly nonlinear states and turbulence play a central role. Today, understanding the behaviour and evolution of such systems requires high-accuracy, multi-scale observations and thoughtful analysis of the data gathered, coupled with detailed theoretical study. High-performance numerical simulations have become an essential and revealing tool for assessing the often subtle highly nonlinear regime of such models. In IAU S271 world experts share their knowledge and perspectives on the latest advances in studying the common underlying processes from the field of nonlinear astrophysical dynamics. The symposium also celebrates the long and illustrious career of Professor Juri Toomre and his achievements in many realms of astrophysical dynamics.

Covers recent developments in both theory and observations of discs in a wide variety of astrophysical contexts. The volume is based on a conference held at the University of Manchester in 1988, which brought together an international group of experts in a wide range of fields. The papers cover planetary ring systems, discs in star-forming regions, protoplanetary discs, accretion and galaxy discs--areas related by the remarkable similarity between the dynamical problems posed by each type of disc. This will be a valuable reference work for researchers and postgraduate students in many branches of astronomy.

Astrophysical masers, naturally occurring microwave and radio-wave emissions, provide an important tool to investigate astrophysical environments. Several thousand maser sources have been observed in the interstellar medium and star formation regions, in the expanding winds from evolved stars, in the compressed shells of supernovae remnants, in comets and in the centers of galaxies. Masers are also useful for studying the structure and dynamics of our own galaxy, while masers in other galaxies are now used for cosmological studies and studies of galactic nuclei. This volume contains the latest research on the topic as presented at IAU Symposium 242, only the third international symposium on astrophysical masers. Over 125 astronomers from 18 different countries gathered in Alice Spring, Australia, for discussions on maser research.

This book takes the reader on an exploration of the structure and evolution of our universe. The basis for our knowledge is the Big Bang theory of the expanding universe. This book then tells the story of our search for the first stars and galaxies using current and planned telescopes. These telescopes are marvels of technology far removed from Galileo's first telescope but continuing astronomy in his ground breaking spirit. We show the reader how these first stars and galaxies shaped the universe we see today. This story is one of the great scientific adventures of all time.

Summarizes state of the art observations and theories pertaining to astrophysical masers and their environments, for graduate students and researchers.

This well-schooled text provides a detailed description of how to perform practical astronomy or spherical astronomy. It is an authoritative source on astronomical phenomena and calendars.

Stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB stars) play an important role due to their high luminosity and production of heavy elements and cosmic dust. They are prime laboratories for studying situations where different physical and chemical processes work simultaneously, on different time scales. IAU Symposium 343 builds a bridge between research on AGB stars themselves and their applications to the modelling of stellar populations and the chemical evolution of galaxies. Our understanding of these complex stars is given using insights into many aspects of physics and chemistry, while very high-angular resolution observations of AGB stars and their surroundings provide strong constraints on stellar theory and how they lose matter through strong stellar winds. This volume also highlights the difficulties in estimating the importance of AGB stars for various aspects of galaxies. Current developments and challenges of these complex objects are discussed for a broad, interdisciplinary audience of astronomers.

This fully-updated second edition remains the only truly detailed exploration of the origins of our Solar System, written by an authority in the field. Unlike other authors, Michael Woolfson focuses on the formation of the solar system, engaging the reader in an intelligent yet accessible discussion of the development of ideas about how the Solar System formed from ancient times to the present.Within the last five decades new observations and new theoretical advances have transformed the way scientists think about the problem of finding a plausible theory. Spacecraft and landers have explored the planets of the Solar System, observations have been made of Solar-System bodies outside the region of the planets and planets have been detected and observed around many solar-type stars. This new edition brings in the most recent discoveries, including the establishment of dwarf planets and challenges to the ‘standard model’ of planet formation — the Solar Nebula Theory.While presenting the most up-to-date material and the underlying science of the theories described, the book avoids technical jargon and terminology. It thus remains a digestible read for the non-expert interested reader, whilst being detailed and comprehensive enough to be used as an undergraduate physics and astronomy textbook, where the formation of the solar system is a key part of the course.Michael Woolfson is Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at University of York and is an award-winning crystallographer and astronomer.