"Astrophysics Updates" is intended to serve the information needs of professional astronomers and postgraduate students about areas of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology that are rich and active research spheres. Observational methods and the latest results of astronomical research are presented as well as their theoretical foundations and interrelations. The contributed commissioned articles are written by leading exponents in a format that will appeal to professional astronomers and astrophysicists who are interested in topics outside their own specific areas of research. This collection of timely reviews may also attract the interest of advanced amateur astronomers seeking scientifically rigorous coverage.
Author(s): John W. Mason
Edition: 1
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 412
Contents......Page 11
1.1 Introduction......Page 14
1.2 Classification Schemes......Page 16
1.3 Effective Temperatures along the L and T Dwarf Sequence......Page 19
1.4 The Case for Condensate Cloud Layers......Page 20
1.5 Chemistry of Selected Elements......Page 22
1.6 Kinetics......Page 31
1.7 Summary: A Chemical Temperature Scale......Page 34
References......Page 37
2.1 Introduction......Page 42
2.2 Neutron Star Interiors: Fundamental Physics......Page 46
2.3 An Overview of Recent Observational Advances......Page 47
2.4 Constraints from Fast X-ray Timing......Page 53
2.5 Constraints from High Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy......Page 60
2.6 Future Prospects......Page 61
Acknowledgements......Page 62
References......Page 63
3.1 Introduction......Page 68
3.2 The Point Sources in Supernova Remnants......Page 70
3.3 Basic View of the Debris and Gaseous Parts of Remnants......Page 101
3.4 Studying Ejecta in Supernova Remnants with Chandra......Page 102
3.5 Shock Properties......Page 116
References......Page 119
4.1 Introduction: Some Past Highlights and Current Issues......Page 127
4.2 Induced Star Formation and Winds......Page 134
4.3 Environmental Effects......Page 150
4.4 Interactions and Galaxy Evolution......Page 154
4.5 Archaeology......Page 159
4.6 Coming Attractions......Page 160
References......Page 162
5.1 Introduction......Page 171
5.2 BH Growth......Page 173
5.3 Interpretation of the M[sub(bh)] – σ Relation......Page 182
5.4 Stellar Cusps and Cores and Binary Black Holes......Page 191
5.5 History of Accretion onto SMBH: X-ray Constraints......Page 195
5.6 Conclusion......Page 196
References......Page 199
6.1 Introduction......Page 206
6.3 Black Hole Masses and their Implications......Page 208
6.4 Radio-loudness of Quasars......Page 209
6.6 High-z Quasars and Reionization......Page 211
6.8 Finding the Obscured Quasar Population......Page 212
6.9 Quasar Host Qalaxy Studies......Page 213
6.10 Open Questions......Page 217
References......Page 219
7.1 Introduction......Page 223
7.2 Basic Principles of Gravitational Lensing......Page 225
7.3 Structure and Contents of Galaxies......Page 234
7.4 Galaxy Clusters......Page 242
7.5 Large-scale Structures......Page 252
7.6 Summary......Page 258
References......Page 260
8.1 Introduction......Page 267
8.2 Low-Metallicity Stars......Page 269
8.3 Ongoing Surveys for Metal-Poor Stars, and the Nature of the Halo Metallicity Distribution Function......Page 270
8.4 Recent Results from High-Resolution Spectroscopic Follow-Up......Page 275
8.5 Next Generation Surveys for Low-Metallicity Stars......Page 285
References......Page 289
9.1 Introduction......Page 294
9.2 The Discovery of ULIRGs......Page 298
9.3 The Physics of Local ULIRGs......Page 300
9.4 The Emerging Picture of ULIRGs: Local Universe......Page 317
9.5 ULIRGs at High Redshift......Page 320
9.6 ULIRGs and Large-Scale Structure......Page 329
9.7 Open Questions and New Directions......Page 332
References......Page 336
10.1 The Astrophysics of Galaxy Formation......Page 346
10.2 Basic Feedback Physics......Page 348
10.3 Measured Properties of Galactic Outflows......Page 351
10.4 Constraints and Challenges for Dynamical Models......Page 358
10.5 Cosmological Impact of Galactic Winds......Page 362
10.6 Summary and Future Direction......Page 368
References......Page 369
11.1 Introduction......Page 372
11.2 Extremely Large Telescopes......Page 375
11.3 Some Science Drivers for a 50m to 100m ELT......Page 381
11.4 Science with ELTs up to 30m......Page 391
11.5 Complementing Other Facilities......Page 394
References......Page 396
C......Page 400
G......Page 401
H......Page 402
M......Page 403
Q......Page 404
S......Page 405
T......Page 406
Y......Page 407
