Galaxy formation - book recommendations?

[ollypenrice]

I think that theories of galaxy formation have come a fair way in the last 6 or 7 years and I'd like to catch up. Can anyone recommend a good book for the general reader on this topic?

Olly

[George Jones]

I think that theories of galaxy formation have come a fair way in the last 6 or 7 years and I'd like to catch up. Can anyone recommend a good book for the general reader on this topic?

Olly

How much detail? A few pages? A chapter? The better part of a book?

How far back in a galaxy's evolution? It is now thought that quantum fluctuations during the early part of the universe's inflationary phase provided the seeds for the formation of (clusters of) galaxies.

When we look at galaxies through our telescopes, we are looking at quantum fluctuations blown up to galactic proportions by the expansion of the universe! Mind blowing!

[ollypenrice]

Thanks George. I was thinking of a book or the better part thereof but anything would do.

Olly

[Space Bat]

Take a look at the cambridge university publishing website -

Cambridge University Press

You should be able to find something to purchase there....the best source for books and good reading in all things related to astronomy and physics....

Chris