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An Introduction to Star Formation
Guiding the reader through all the stages that lead to the formation of a star
such as our Sun, this textbook aims to provide students with plete
overview of star formation. It examines the underlying physical processes
that govern the evolution from a molecular cloud core to a main-sequence
star, and focuses on the formation of solar-mass stars. Each bines
theory and observation, helping readers to connect with, and understand, the
theory behind star formation. Beginning with an explanation of the inter-
stellar medium and molecular clouds as sites of star formation, subsequent
chapters address the building of typical stars and the formation of high-mass
stars, concluding with a discussion of the by-products and consequences of
star formation. This is a unique, self-contained text with sufficient back-
ground information for self-study, and is ideal for students and professional
researchers alike.
DEREK WARD-THOMPSON is Deputy Head of the School of Physics and
Astronomy at Cardiff University. An observer in the field of molecular
clouds and protostars, Professor Ward-Thompson’s research interests lie in
observing the formation of stars and s, particularly the very earliest
stages of star formation.
ANTHONY WHITWORTH is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astron-
omy at Cardiff University. Professor Whitworth’s main area of research lies
in the theoretical modelling of the formation of stars and brown dwarfs.
This book is based on lectures given by the authors, at Cardiff University
and elsewhere, on star formation.
An Introduction to
Star Formation
Derek Ward-Thompson
School of Physics and Astronomy,
Cardiff University
Anthony P. Whitworth
School of Physics and Astronomy,
Cardiff University
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
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Cambridge University Press
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