Quasar Absorption Lines: Volume 1, Introduction, Discoveries, and Methods

'Quasar Absorption Lines' is a comprehensive, detailed exposition on the science and analysis of quasar spectra in two volumes, for both aspiring and seasoned astronomers. This Volume 1: 'Introduction, Discoveries, and Methods' covers the evolution of the field of quasar spectroscopy over the six decades since quasars were discovered, including the development and application of observational methods and the knowledge gained from them. The broad treatment includes studies of the Ly ¿ forest, Lyman limit systems, damped Ly ¿ absorbers, deuterium (D/H), 21-cm absorbers, HI and HeII reionization, the warm/hot intergalactic medium, and the multiple ionization phases of metal lines. The connections between these absorbers and galaxies (the circumgalactic medium), galaxy groups (the intragroup medium), and clusters of galaxies (the intracluster medium) are treated in depth. Also covered are the taxonomy and classifications of AGN/quasar spectra, black hole accretion, broad and narrow associated absorption lines, and the quasar circumgalactic medium.

Foreword Max Pettini; Preface; Part I. Breakthrough Astrophysics: 1. A new science; 2. Modern framework; 3. Introduction to methods; Part II. Intervening Absorbers: 4. Neutral hydrogen absorbers; 5. Deuterium and the big bang; 6. 21-cm absorption; 7. Helium absorption; 8. Low ionization metal-line absorbers; 9. Intermediate ionization metal-line absorbers; 10. The warm/hot diffuse universe; 11. High ionization metal-line absorbers; Part III. Galaxies and Their Gas: 12. Baryons and dark matter halos; 13. Studying the circumgalactic medium; 14. The nature of the circumgalactic medium; 15. Friends of friends and their gas; 16. Groups and clusters; 17. Starbursts, AGN, and quasars; 18. Active black holes and Eddington; 19. BALs, NALs, and QPQs; References; Index.