Dynamics of Galaxies
Cambridge University Press
Edition: 2, 4/21/2014
EAN 9781107000544, ISBN10: 1107000548
Hardcover, 484 pages, 26.1 x 18.2 x 2.7 cm
Language: English
Our understanding of galaxies, the building blocks of the Universe has advanced significantly in recent years. New observations from ground- and space-based telescopes, the discovery of dark matter, and new insights into its distribution have been instrumental in this. This textbook provides graduate students with a modern introduction to the gravitationally determined structure and evolution of galaxies. Readers will also benefit from detailed discussions of the issues involved in the process of modeling complex stellar systems. Additionally, the text provides an accessible framework for interpreting observations and devising new observational tests. Based on the author's extensive teaching experience, this second edition features an up-to-date view of basic phenomenology, a discussion of the structure of dark halos in galaxies, the dynamics of quasi-relaxed stellar systems and globular clusters, galaxies and gravitational lensing and an introduction to self-gravitating accretion disks. Extended problem sets are available from the accompanying resources website: www.cambridge.org/9781107000544.
Preface to the first edition
Preface to the second edition
Acknowledgments
Part I. Basic Phenomenology
1. Scales
2. Observational windows
3. Classifications
4. Photometry, kinematics and dark matter
5. Basic questions, semi-empirical approach and the dynamical window
Part II. Physical Models
6. Self-gravity and relation to plasma physics
7. Relaxation times, absence of thermodynamical equilibrium
8. Models
9. Equilibrium and stability
symmetry
10. Classical ellipsoids
11. Introduction to dispersive waves
12. Jeans instability
Part III. Spiral Galaxies
13. Orbits
14. The basic state
vertical and horizontal equilibrium of the disk
15. Density waves
16. Roles of gas
17. Global spiral modes
18. Spiral structure in galaxies
19. Bending waves
20. Dark matter in spiral galaxies
Part IV. Elliptical Galaxies
21. Orbits
22. Stellar dynamical models
23. Stability
24. Dark matter in elliptical galaxies
Part V. In Perspective
25. Selected aspects of formation and evolution
26. Galaxies and gravitational lensing
27. Self-gravitating accretion disks
Bibliography
Index.