The classification of galaxies according to their shape is a fundamental tool in astronomy. It is through classification schemes that astronomers build a deeper understanding of how galaxies form and evolve. This long-awaited book by one of the pioneers of the field provides a concise and up-to-date summary of current ideas about galaxy morphology and classification. This is the first book dedicated entirely to the shapes and classifications of galaxies. It introduces the most widely used schemes, explains how they have developed and what they can tell us about galaxies. We are also shown how very distant galaxies (seen with the Hubble Space Telescope, for instance) often defy standard classification schemes. Finally, we look at recent work on the use of computers to automatically classify digital images of galaxies. This topical volume provides graduate students and researchers with a unique and indispensable reference on the classification and shape of galaxies.

‘ … this book is a unique tool for all scientists working on the classification and investigation of galaxies. Also for students this book is a very detailed, comprehensive and concise summary of the main ideas on the morphology and classification of galaxies.’

Source: Reviews of Astronomical Tools

‘ … the book is authoritative … The content suits the target readership well, and within each chapter the meat is soon served up for the reader to chew on.’

Steve Fossey Source: The Observatory

‘ … this is a useful book that ought to be in any good astronomical library and be read by anyone with a research interest in galaxies. The discussion is up to date, and the arguments are clearly laid out.’

J. Binney Source: European Journal of Physics

‘Overall this is a useful book that ought to be in any good astronomical library and be read by anyone with a research interest in galaxies.’

J. J. Binney Source: Contemporary Physics