Tumbling, twisting and winding galaxies: pattern speeds along the Hubble sequence

For a wide range of non-axisymmetric phenomena in galaxies, the rate at which the pattern rotates, the pattern speed, has important consequences for the dynamics. Measurements of pattern speeds can therefore strongly constrain the formation and evolution of galaxies. In the past two decades considerable progress has been made in the measurement of pattern speeds via various methods. Such measurements have been made in bars, spirals, dark halos, elliptical galaxies and lopsided nuclei. In tandem, a growing body of theoretical study has been brought to bear on the implications of different pattern speeds. The aim of this volume is to bring together a number of theorists and observers working on such issues to present measurements, share ideas, propose future directions and explore implications for theoretical models.