Case Studies in Star Formation offers an overview of our current
observational and theoretical understanding in the molecular astronomy
of star formation. The book is divided into six sections: the first
introduces an overview of star formation and the essential language,
concepts and tools specific to molecular astronomy studies. Each
subsequent section focuses on individual sources, beginning with a
description of large-scale surveys. The volume covers low- and high mass
star formation, ionization and photodissociation regions, and concludes
with the extragalactic perspective. Conventional textbooks begin with
principles, ending with a few convenient examples. Through copious
examples, Case Studies reflects the reality of research, which requires
the creative matching of ongoing observations to theory and vice-versa,
often raising as many questions as answers. This supplementary study
guide enables graduate students and early researchers to bridge the gap
between textbooks and the wealth of research literature.