Highlights of Astronomy

Recording the proceedings of the IAU XXVII General Assembly this volume of Highlights of Astronomy provides an up-to-date review of modern astrophysics as discussed by 2400 participants. Covering planets stars galaxies dark matter and modern cosmology it gives a broad overview allowing specialists and non-specialists alike to bring themselves up to date with the latest developments. This text brings together the work of observers and theoreticians from widely different fields who work towards a common goal: understanding the physics of the Universe. Together with the Proceedings of the IAU Symposia 262267 this volume examines all of the astrophysics presented at the General Assembly and provides a valuable testament to the vigour and momentum of astrophysical discovery in 2009 the International Year of Astronomy.