Joint Evolution of Black Holes and Galaxies (Series in High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation)

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 488 pages
• Published by: Taylor & Francis
• Edition: 1st Edition January 27, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0750309997
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0750309998
• Book Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

Product Description
Black holes are among the most mysterious objects that the human mind has been capable of imagining. As pure mathematical constructions, they are tools for exploiting the fundamental laws of physics. As astronomical sources, they are part of our cosmic landscape, warping space-time, coupled to the large-scale properties and life cycle of their host galaxy, and perhaps even linked to galaxy formation. This volume, which grew from a recent doctoral school sponsored by the Italian Society of Relativity and Gravitation, brings together contributions from leading authorities to provide a review of recent developments in the study of the astrophysical black holes that inhabit nearby galaxies and distant quasars. These lectures reveal the deep symbiotic relationship between black holes and their cosmic environment and show that black holes are key sources for exploring not only our local universe, but also our cosmic dawn. Topics range from the observational evidence for supermassive black holes and the joint evolution of black holes and galaxies to the cold dark matter paradigm of hierarchical galaxy formation and from the cosmic history of the diffuse intergalactic medium to the ecology of black holes in star clusters.

Reader Reviews
Black holes remain as one of the more mysterious objects in the cosmos. We are still trying to make our theories match up with the results being developed in experimental laboratories. This book is the result of a course held on the recent discoveries in black holes and their role in the formation of the galaxies. The authors represent a who's who of physicists and cosmologists working in this area all around the world. The concept of black holes was in place from a theoretical standpoint as soon as people began to understand Einstein's General Theory of Relativity shortly after its publication in 1915. Since that time there has been a wealth of observational experiments and theoretical analysis. The problem with black holes is that each experiment usually leads to as many new questions as it answers old ones. These are described here. Because of the multiple authors reporting on their current research, this is the state of the art as it exists today.