Introduction to Stellar Dynamics

A thorough presentation of the fundamental concepts of stellar dynamics that bridges the gap between standard texts and advanced treatises.

Luca Ciotti (Author)

9781107001534, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 June 2021

300 pages
25 x 17.5 x 2.2 cm, 0.79 kg

'The book may be of some value to libraries that support students of astrophysics at the graduate and very advanced undergraduate levels … Recommended.' T. Barker, Choice Magazine

The study of stellar dynamics is experiencing an exciting new wave of interest thanks to observational campaigns and the ready availability of powerful computers. Whilst its relevance includes many areas of astrophysics, from the structure of the Milky Way to dark matter halos, few texts are suited to advanced students. This volume provides a broad overview of the key concepts beyond the elementary level, bridging the gap between the standard texts and specialist literature. The author reviews Newtonian gravity in depth before examining the dynamical properties of collisional and collisionless stellar-dynamical systems that result from gravitational interactions. Guided examples and exercises ensure a thorough grounding in the mathematics, while discussions of important practical applications give a complete picture of the subject. Readers are given a sound working knowledge of the fundamental ideas and techniques employed in the field and the conceptual background needed to progress to more advanced graduate-level treatises.

Part I. Potential Theory: 1. The gravitational field
2. The gravitational potential
3. Tidal fields
4. The two-body problem
5. Quasi-circular orbits
Part II. Systems of Particles: 6. The N-body problem and the virial theorem
7. Relaxation 1: Two-body relaxation
8. Relaxation 2: Dynamical friction
Part III. Collisionless Systems: 9. The collisionless Boltzmann equation and the Jeans theorem
10. The Jeans equations and the Tensor virial theorem
11. Projected dynamics
12. Modeling techniques 1: Phase-space approach
13. Modeling techniques 2: Moments approach
14. Modeling techniques 3: from ? to f. Appendix. Bibliography. Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematical modelling [PBWH]