The Handbook describes the 6̃0 most important star forming regions within approximately 2 kpc, and has been written by a team of 105 authors with expertise in the individual regions. It consists of two full-color volumes, one for the northern and one for the southern hemisphere, with a total of over 1900 pages. The Handbook is full of stunning color images from some of the best astrophotographers, complementing the extensive research, figures, and tables presented by the authors. These volumes aim to be a source of comprehensive factual information about each region, with extensive references to the literature. A useful reference guide for both researchers and students, the Handbook provides a unique and detailed presentation of our current knowledge about the nearest and most important star forming regions.

The Handbook describes the 6̃0 most important star forming regions within approximately 2 kpc, and has been written by a team of 105 authors with expertise in the individual regions. It consists of two full-color volumes, one for the northern and one for the southern hemisphere, with a total of over 1900 pages. The Handbook is full of stunning color images from some of the best astrophotographers, complementing the extensive research, figures, and tables presented by the authors. These volumes aim to be a source of comprehensive factual information about each region, with extensive references to the literature. A useful reference guide for both researchers and students, the Handbook provides a unique and detailed presentation of our current knowledge about the nearest and most important star forming regions.

The concept is fundamental in statistics and tailors to the emergence of collective behaviours. Communication then asks for uncertainty considerations - noise, indeterminacy or approximation - and its wider impact on the couple perception-action. Clustering being all about uncertainty handling, data set representation appears not to be the only solution: Introducing hierarchies with adapted metrics, a priori pre-improving the data resolution are other methods in need of evaluation. The technology together with increasing semantics enables to involve synthetic data as simulation results for the multiplication of sources. Part B plays with another couple important for complex systems: state vs. transition. State-first descriptions would characterize physics, while transition-first would fit biology. That could stem from life producing dynamical systems in essence.

All stars are born in groups. The origin of these groups has long been a key question in astronomy, one that interests researchers in star formation, the interstellar medium, and cosmology. This volume summarizes current progress in the field, and includes contributions from both theorists and observers. Star clusters appear with a wide range of properties, and are born in a variety of physical conditions. Yet the key question remains: How do diffuse clouds of gas condense into the collections of luminous objects we call stars? This book will benefit graduate students, newcomers to the field, and also experienced scientists seeking a convenient reference.

The Barnard Objects have fascinated professional and amateur astronomers for over one hundred years. Many of those objects first imaged by E.E. Barnard on black-and-white photographic plates are now being captured daily in thousands of color astrophotographs. This book tells of Barnard’s story; describing his life and work as well as how the fields of astronomy and astrophotography have transformed ever since. The chapters in this book are equal parts history and science. It will provide readers with an introduction to nebula science and the incredible discoveries made in this field over the decades; including an overview of popular astronomical catalogues and a detailed look at how astronomical imaging has advanced since Barnard’s time, from early plates to digital imaging and chips. In addition, the book features a comprehensive guide to viewing and imaging these objects yourself. A glossary of astronomical and photographic terms is provided, along with detailed references. And, an updated table displaying the locations of these Barnard Objects; including the missing twenty-five objects from E.E. Barnard’s original catalogue. Richly researched and illustrated, this fascinating reference will attract astronomers of all skill levels interested in astrophotography and how it has changed over the past hundred years.

Star clusters are important to many areas of astronomy, and as the basic building blocks of galaxies, they can be used as key diagnostic tools within a wide range of disciplines in astrophysics. Star cluster populations are powerful tracers of the formation, assembly and evolutionary history of their parent galaxies. Although their importance has been recognised for decades, only in recent years has this area seen a major investment in time and effort. IAU Symposium 266 consolidates the expertise of leading researchers from a variety of topical subfields in astrophysics, to provide a comprehensive presentation of cutting-edge developments in theory, observations and simulations of star clusters and star cluster systems across a range of sizes and epochs. This volume gives an account of this forefront research, answering fundamental questions that will improve our understanding of numerous related issues and show how this field will take its next major step forward.