Age-Dating Stars: From the Sun to Distant Galaxies

Summary

The determination of stellar ages is crucial for the development of our understanding of the universe and for constraining theoretical models of galaxy formation and planetary system evolution. The ages of stars provide scientists with timescales to identify the relevant physical processes responsible for the development of the cosmic structures.

Age-Dating Stars describes the vast array of techniques used to determine stellar ages. It explores how these ages inform our knowledge about planets, star clusters, galaxies and distant galaxies. Up-to-date with the latest research and technologies, it discusses problems that remain to be pondered. This edition includes a comprehensive introduction to the concepts of asteroseismology, the use of asteroseismic observations for age determination and for probing the internal structure of stars, an analysis of the uncertainties on the age estimates, results about the ages of stellar populations in our galaxy and high-redshift galaxies gathered with observations from the Gaia satellite and the James Webb Space Telescope, and the new/upcoming observational facilities.

• Presents an entertaining and accessible approach whilst also providing a rigorous presentation.
• Describes how to unveil the ages of stellar populations.
• Contains historical notes about these techniques, outstanding problems, and a discussion on future developments.

It will be of interest to students studying astronomy and to listeners from diverse backgrounds.