Dynamics of Galaxies

Provides advanced students with an introduction to modern galactic dynamics, and equips them with useful observational and theoretical tools.

Giuseppe Bertin (Author)

9781107000544, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 April 2014

484 pages, 183 b/w illus.
26.1 x 18.2 x 2.7 cm, 1.2 kg

'This book presents a good introduction to many advanced topics in the area of galactic structure and evolution usually not covered in more introductory texts. The approach is original, particularly by presenting many interesting parallels and analogies with other areas of physics. To sum up: a very useful book for studying this subject at graduate level.' Ilian Iliev, University of Sussex

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.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematics & science [P]