Along with the traditional optical window, many new windows have been opened on galaxies in the last two decades, made possible by new developments in groundbased detectors and by space missions that allow detection of photons that are otherwise absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. Galaxies can now be observed in the radio, submillimeter, IR, optical, UV, X- and gamma-ray bands, each window allowing us to learn more about galactic components and properties. These developments have also imposed the view that a deeper understanding of even normal galaxies requires a panchromatic approach, making use of all of the data gathered from the different windows to synthesize a comprehensive physical image of these complex astronomical systems. Windows on Galaxies presents a comprehensive view of galaxies through all the available windows, bringing together both theoretical and experimental approaches in the form of a series of reviews reporting the most recent developments complemented by contributed talks and discussions. TEXT NO. 2 The sixth workshop of the Advanced School of Astronomy examined galaxies through all available wavelength windows. Over the last twenty years, new wavelength windows have been opened in astronomy which have created many new possibilities for the observation of the properties of galaxies. The outcome of the meeting clearly stated that the approach towards the studying of galaxies should be panchromatic. Each window, from radio to gamma-rays, shows different components, and a synthesis of this knowledge presents astronomers with a comprehensive physical image of these astronomical systems: star formation, evolution of galaxies, molecular contents, gas flows, interstellar matter and properties of galaxies in the several wavelength fields are discussed in this volume.

Based on a number of new discoveries resulting from 10 years of Chandra and XMM-Newton observations and corresponding theoretical works, this is the first book to address significant progress in the research of the Hot Interstellar Matter in Elliptical Galaxies. A fundamental understanding of the physical properties of the hot ISM in elliptical galaxies is critical, because they are directly related to the formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies via star formation episodes, environmental effects such as stripping, infall, and mergers, and the growth of super-massive black holes. Thanks to the outstanding spatial resolution of Chandra and the large collecting area of XMM-Newton, various fine structures of the hot gas have been imaged in detail and key physical quantities have been accurately measured, allowing theoretical interpretations/predictions to be compared and tested against observational results. This book will bring all readers up-to-date on this essential field of research.

Describing interstellar matter in our galaxy in all of its various forms, this book also considers the physical and chemical processes that are occurring within this matter. The first seven chapters present the various components making up the interstellar matter and detail the ways that we are able to study them. The following seven chapters are devoted to the physical, chemical and dynamical processes that control the behaviour of interstellar matter. These include the instabilities and cloud collapse processes that lead to the formation of stars. The last chapter summarizes the transformations that can occur between the different phases of the interstellar medium. Emphasizing methods over results, The Interstellar Medium is written for graduate students, for young astronomers, and also for any researchers who have developed an interest in the interstellar medium.