Dust in the Galactic Environment (Third Edition)
D. C. B. Whittet
Abstract
Dust in the Galactic Environment, Third Edition provides a thorough overview of the subject, covering general concepts, methods of investigation, important results and their significance, relevant literature, and some suggestions for promising avenues of future research. Major advances have been made in the last two decades in our understanding of astrophysical dust. These have been driven by discoveries arising from new observational facilities such as the Spitzer, Planck, and Herschel Space Telescopes, as well as important parallel developments in laboratory studies of cosmic and terrestrial analog materials. This new, expanded edition reviews these developments, summarizes the current state of the field, and considers possibilities for future advances, for example with the James Webb Space Telescope. It includes introductory material for new entrants to the field alongside detailed discussion for more advanced students and researchers. Key features • Timely update to a standard text, including results from Spitzer, Planck and Herschel Space Telescopes • Highly active and topical area of current research with broad relevance in astrophysics, astrochemistry, and planetary sciences • Emphasises cosmic dust as a source of planet-building materials and organic molecules • Written by a renowned expert in the field