Although the Milky Way is the most studied and best understood galactic system, there are many fundamental questions about our Galaxy that remain unanswered. This book concentrates on those questions which have the widest applicability in all of astrophysics, and for which answers are most likely to be forthcoming in the next few years. Is the Milky Way a barred spiral, and if so, what are its properties? Is the disk of the Milky Way axisymmetric and what does the answer tell us about its dynamical history? Is there a black hole at the center of the Galaxy? How far does the Galaxy extend? How much dark matter is there in the Milky Way system? And more.

Inhalt

Preface. Introduction. 1. Are the Disk and Halo Axisymmetric? 2. Is the Milky Way a Barred Spiral Galaxy? 3. What is the Nature of the Center of the Galaxy? 4. Is There a Consistent Picture of the Inner kpc of the Milky Way? 5. How Did the Milky Way Form? 6. How are we to Understand the Large Scale Structure of the ISM? 7. How are we to Understand the Small Scale Structure of the ISM? 8. How do we Put It Together? Subject Index. Object Index.