Galaxy collisions are the key process in building galaxies, triggering the formation of stars and the build-up of heavy elements that allow the formation of planets and solar systems. This book presents the revolutionary research advances achieved in the last decade and lucidly explains the underlying dynamical processes.
Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1: Exploring the world of galaxies
Chapter 2: Head-on collisions and rings of fire
Chapter 3: Swinging on by: the tidal twists
Chapter 4: Major mergers and their colossal consequences
Chapter 5: What happens to the little guy: minor mergers
Chapter 6: The secret of fire: triggered star formation
Chapter 7: Not always in a galaxy far, far away
Chapter 8: A wider view
Chapter 9: Epilogue: the galacto-biology of collisions
Glossary
Resources
Index
Professor Curtis Struck has worked in the field of galaxy collisions since his graduate studies in the late 1970's. He has published more than 50 refereed journal papers, the majority in this area, and many as first author. He has spoken at a number of international research conferences and given many public talks. Struck is a theorist and computer modeler and has worked with many observers on the interpretation of data on colliding galaxies in all wavebands, except gamma-ray. This includes ground-based optical and radio data, and data from NASA's Hubble, Chandra, Spitzer, and GALEX space observatiories.
From the reviews: Galaxy Collisions is big book, not physically but conceptually. Colour images, some appropriately from the Hubble Space Telescope, and diagrams support the text where needed throughout. it is refreshing to read a book that stays strictly on topic. Where an explanation is required to ensure understanding it is given quickly then attention is swiftly refocused back to the main subject. reader who has a good understanding of the key concepts of Astronomy will get a lot from this book . (Paul Rumsby, Best Astronomy Books, August, 2011)