In order to outline possible future directions in galaxy research, this book wants to be a short stopover, a moment of self-reflection of the past century of achievements in this area.

Since the pioneering years of galaxy research in the early 20th century, the research on galaxies has seen a relentless advance directly connected to the parallel exponential growth of new technologies.

Through a series of interviews with distinguished astronomers the editors provide a snapshot of the achievements obtained in understanding galaxies. While many initial questions about their nature have been addressed, many are still open and require new efforts to achieve a solution. The discussions may reveal paradigms worthwhile revisiting. With the help of some of those scientists who have contributed to it, the editors sketch the history of this scientific journey and ask them for inspirations for future directions of galaxy research.

In the stylistic tradition of Galileo's "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" Written as a series of interviews with many leading astronomers who participated in the history of extragalactic astronomy Documents the evolution of understanding of galaxies through the 20th and early 21st century Attractive also for undergraduate students who not only want to learn the state of the art of a field but seek an understanding of astronomical thinking and understanding

Autorentext
Mauro D'Onofrio is an associate professors at the Department of Physics and Astronomy G. Galilei, University of Padova. He is an expert in the calibration, and setup of astronomical instruments as well as of data reduction and data analysis. His research has focused on galaxies both without and with AGN. He has co-edited two previous volumes published by Springer(on Cosmology and Quasars) written in the same interview style as this book. dalfkädslfä

Roberto Rampazzo is a staff astronomer at INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova. His research focuses on interacting galaxies and early-type galaxies.

Simone Zaggia is a staff astronomer at INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova. He is specialised in the dynamics of stellar systems and the structure of the Milky Way.

Inhalt
The Milky Way and the Local Group.- The manifold observations of galaxies.- The new boundary of the galaxy concept.- How do galaxies form and evolve?.- I did it my way!.- What lacks? Challenges in galaxy investigation.- Concluding remarks by the Editors.