The First Galaxies: Theoretical Predictions and Observational Clues (Astrophysics and Space Science Library Book 396)

New observations of the period between the cosmic recombination and the end of reionization are posing intriguing questions about where the first generations of stars were formed, how the first galaxies were assembled, whether these galaxies have low redshift counterparts, and what role the early galaxies played in the reionization process. Combining the new observational data with theoretical models can shed new light on open issues regarding the star formation process, its role in the reionization of the Universe, and the metal enrichment in galaxies at those early epochs. This volume brings together leading experts in the field to discuss our current level of understanding and what may come in the near future as our observational as well as theoretical tools improve. The book confronts the theory of how the first stars, black holes, and galaxies formed with current and planned observations. This synthesis is very timely, just ahead of the establishment of major new facilities, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a next-generation, millimeter/sub-millimeter observatory in the Atacama desert (ALMA), and ground-based Extremely Large Telescopes (ELT). Together, they will revolutionize the study of the most distant objects in the Universe. This volume is aimed at beginning graduate students but can also serve as a reference work for active researchers in the field. Apart from presenting the fundamental concepts involved, it also provides an introduction to the methods and techniques used. The book will also be useful to anyone with an astrophysical background who needs an effective starting point for learning about the first stars and galaxies. Front Matter....Pages i-x Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Basic Theoretical Framework....Pages 3-44 The Epoch of Reionization....Pages 45-101 The First Stars....Pages 103-174 Front Matter....Pages 175-175 Formation of the First Galaxies: Theory and Simulations....Pages 177-222 Observing the First Galaxies....Pages 223-292 The Formation of the First Massive Black Holes....Pages 293-341 Front Matter....Pages 343-343 Evolutionary Synthesis Models as a Tool and Guide Towards the First Galaxies....Pages 345-376 Exploring the Universe with Metal-Poor Stars....Pages 377-411 The Potential Impact of Future Observatories....Pages 413-426 Back Matter....Pages 427-429 Exploring intriguing questions about where the first generations of stars were formed, book discusses how the first galaxies were assembled, whether early galaxies have low redshift counterparts and what role early galaxies played in the reionization process