The review papers in this volume provide an in-depth examination of
complex astrophysical phenomena of star formation via multi-wavelength
observations and modeling. Among the fundamental issues discussed in the
book are:
- The role of gravity and magnetized turbulence in the formation and
evolution of molecular clouds
- The stellar feedback (supernovae, HII regions, winds, cosmic rays) in
regulating star formation
- The origin of the stellar initial mass function and its universality
across various environments
- Jets, magnetic fields and high energy particles in stellar clusters
- The origin of the first stars and black holes
The goal of these papers is to review the major processes governing star
formation and to investigate how they are interlinked. In doing so, they
provide an in-depth look at the tremendous theoretical and observational
progress that has been made in the recent past and also outline future
perspectives.
Previously published in Space Science Reviews in the Topical
Collection "Star Formation"