Age-Dating Stars From the Sun to Distant Galaxies

2022 Winner - CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title The determination of stellar ages has been - and still is - crucial for the development of our understanding of the universe, and to constrain theoretical models for the formation of galaxies and the evolution of planetary systems. Stellar ages provide scientists with timescales, and these timescales allow us to identify the relevant physical processes responsible for the development of cosmic structures. This book describes in a simple, yet rigorous, manner the vast array of techniques that have been developed and are currently being used to determine the ages of stars. It also explores how stellar ages inform our knowledge about planets, star clusters, galaxies, even distant galaxies that we cannot resolve into individual stars. Up-to-date with the latest research and technologies in the field, it includes the cutting-edge methods being used based on asteroseismology and discusses open problems that remain to be pondered in future research. It will be of interest to advanced undergraduates and graduate students studying astronomy, in addition to the general public. Key Features Presents an entertaining and accessible approach whilst also providing a rigorous and comprehensive presentation of the subject Describes how to unveil the ages of stellar populations in distant galaxies that we cannot resolve into individual stars Contains historical notes about these techniques, outstanding major problems, and a discussion on future developments in the field

Chapter 1. You Must be Crazy Chapter 2. An Echo of the Distant Past Chapter 3. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Stars Chapter4. Introducing the Machine Chapter 5. Great Hopes Chapter6. Hipparcos Chapter 7. This is What we Do Chapter 8. Crazy Diamonds Chapter 9. Far Away Beyond the Fields Chapter 10. What Now?

Maurizio Salaris studied physics at the ‘La Sapienza’ University in Rome and worked at the Institute of Space Astrophysics in Frascati (Italy), the Teramo Astronomical Observatory (Italy), the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (Spain), the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (Germany – as a Marie Curie Fellow). He has spent the last 23 years at the Astrophysics Research Institute of the Liverpool John Moores University (UK) where he holds the post of Professor of Stellar Astrophysics. Prof. Salaris has published over 200 papers in peer-reviewed astrophysics journals, plus dozens of conference proceedings and two university textbooks. He has also written and co-produced a series of educational science fiction short videos for public outreach, available at https://www.schoolsobservatory.org/serapis. Prof. Salaris is a member of the Royal Astronomical Society (UK), the International Astronomical Union, the European Astronomical Society and the Higher Education Academy (UK). He is Associate Editor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, one of the top peer-reviewed international astrophysics journals.