The Pillars of Creation : Giant Molecular Clouds, Star Formation, and Cosmic Recycling / by Martin Beech.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Beech, Martin., Author.

Series:

Popular Astronomy, 2626-8760

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy.

Cosmology.

Chemistry, Organic.

Exobiology.

Popular Science in Astronomy.

Organic Chemistry.

Astrobiology.

Local Subjects:

Popular Science in Astronomy.

Cosmology.

Organic Chemistry.

Astrobiology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (XII, 272 p. 125 illus., 109 illus. in color.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2017.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2017.

Summary:

This book explores the mechanics of star formation, the process by which matter pulls together and creates new structures. Written for science enthusiasts, the author presents an accessible explanation of how stars are born from the interstellar medium and giant molecular clouds. Stars produce the chemicals that lead to life, and it is they that have enabled the conditions for planets to form and life to emerge. Although the Big Bang provided the spark of initiation, the primordial universe that it sired was born hopelessly sterile. It is only through the continued recycling of the interstellar medium, star formation, and stellar evolution that the universe has been animated beyond a chaotic mess of elementary atomic particles, radiation, dark matter, dark energy, and expanding spacetime. Using the Milky Way and the Eagle Nebula in particular as case studies, Beech follows every step of this amazing process. .

Contents:

Preface

Chapter 1- Reading the Sky

Chapter 2 - In the Eye of the Beholder

Chapter 3: The Dark Clouds Revealed

Chapter 4 – The Hyperfine Split and Atomic Jitters

Chapter 5 – In the Grip of Gravity

Chapter 6 - It's a Far Flung Life

Appendix - Notes and References

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

ISBN:

9783319487755

3319487752