The Origin of Stars and Planetary Systems (Nato Science Series)

Rating:
Summary: A great introduction
Review: This is a nice introduction to the field of star and planet formation. It is a bit more instructive than the similar _Protostars and Planets IV_, meaning that many of the chapters are genuinely useful at the graduate student level. However not all of the chapters are written equally well. Some contain breath-takingly comprehensive looks at their subject matters (e.g., the chapters by Chris McKee, Telemachios Mouschovios, Rafael Bachiller), while others could have been fleshed out a little more. All in all though, the book is a great companion to the larger (but same priced) _PP IV_. Although it was published first and so is slightly more dated and it is not as comprehensive as that other volume, I would recommend this over _PP IV_ for students in astrophysics on a limited budget--mainly because of its readability for second year and above graduate students.