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The Complex Lives of Star Clusters

  • Book
  • © 2015

Overview

Authors:
  1. David Stevenson

    1. Sherwood, United Kingdom

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  • Presents up-to-date coverage accessible for lay readers of the universe’s most glamorous and frequently-observed objects
  • Tackles the breadth of knowledge about how the universe’s most dynamic stellar gatherings operate in a highly accessible and visually attractive format
  • Considers the fate of star clusters and any planets that form in association with them

Part of the book series: Astronomers' Universe (ASTRONOM)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. Initial Observations

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 1-23

  3. Adventures in Stellar Evolution

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 25-56

  4. Variable Stars

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 57-99

  5. Globular Cluster Formation

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 101-135

  6. Open Clusters

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 137-153

  7. Stellar Soap Operas

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 155-219

  8. The Complex Lives of Globular Clusters

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 221-265

  9. From Science Fiction to the Reality of Planets in Star Clusters

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 267-295

  10. Milkomeda and the Fate of the Milky Way

    • David Stevenson
    Pages 297-321

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 323-343
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Keywords

About this book

As with the author’s recent books Extreme Explosions and Under a Crimson Sun, the complex topic of star clusters is broken down and made accessible with clear links to other areas of astronomy in a language which the non-specialist can easily read and enjoy. The full range of topics are addressed regarding how star clusters are formed. Why is it some are dense conglomerates of stars while others are looser associations? Are the young, brilliant clusters seen in neighboring galaxies such as the Large Magellanic Cloud, M33 or M82 analogous to the ancient globulars seen in the Milky Way? How will these clusters change as their stars wane and die? More interestingly, how does living in a dense star cluster affect the fates of the stars and any attendant planets that accompany them? Star clusters form many of the most dazzling objects in the astronomers’ catalogs. Many amateur astronomers are interested in exploring how these objects are created and what it would be like to live among these objects. From the historical views of how star clusters came about to the most recent assumptions about how stars within these clusters evolve, different strands of science, from observation to theory, are woven together into a compelling investigation specifically targeted at amateur astronomers.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sherwood, United Kingdom

    David Stevenson

About the author

David Stevenson was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1968, and studied molecular biology at Glasgow University and a PhD in genetics from the University of Cambridge. After a stint in academia, he became a teacher, but continued to write science articles for various magazines including Sky & Telescope. His publications with Springer include Extreme Explosions (2014) and "Under a Crimson Sun" (2014) and he is at work on a new book about weather and exoplanets. Despite a background in Biology, David’s father inspired his interest in astronomy from an early age. Exploring the cross-roads of different scientific disciplines is a key interest and motivation in both teaching and writing.

David lives in Nottingham, UK, with his wife and family.

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