First published in 1988, this book is a comprehensive survey of the
astrophysical characteristics of the hot gas which pervades clusters of
galaxies. In our universe, clusters of galaxies are the largest
organised structures. Typically they comprise hundreds of galaxies
moving through a region of space ten million light years in diameter.
The volume between the galaxies is filled with gas having a temperature
of 100 million degrees. This material is a strong source of cosmic
X-rays. Dr Sarazin describes the theoretical description of the origin,
dynamics, and physical state of the cluster gas. Observations by radio
and optical telescopes are also summarised. This account is addressed to
professional astronomers and to graduate students. It is an exhaustive
summary of a rapidly expanding field of research in modern astrophysics.