  We present a model which predicts the temperature of Bose-Einstein
condensation in atomic alkali gases and find excellent agreement with recent
experimental observations. A system of bosons confined by a harmonic oscillator
potential is not characterized by a critical temperature in the same way as an
identical system which is not confined. We discuss the problem of Bose-Einstein
condensation in an isotropic harmonic oscillator potential analytically and
numerically for a range of parameters of relevance to the study of low
temperature gases of alkali metals.
