Dynamics of Galaxies

by Giuseppe Bertin

• ISBN13: 9780521478557
• ISBN10: 0521478553
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-12
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Our understanding of galaxies has advanced significantly in recent years. New observations from ground- and space-based telescopes, the discovery of dark matter, and powerful computer simulations have been instrumental in this. This textbook provides graduate students with a complete and thorough introduction to galactic dynamics. The first two parts of the book define the astrophysical problems and the methods for building sound physical models. Next, the observational properties and models of spiral then elliptical galaxies are examined in detail. Finally, a selection of exciting topics from contemporary research are introduced, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, cooling flows, accretion disks, and galaxies at high redshift. Throughout, the emphasis is on developing a clear understanding and good physical intuition of the processes involved. Full derivations are provided for key results and helpful problems are included. This textbook provides graduate students with a self-contained and accessible introduction to modern galactic dynamics.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xv
PART ONE: BASIC PHENOMENOLOGY I
Scales	3	(7)
References and further reading	7	(1)
Problems	8	(2)
Observational Windows	10	(12)
Radio	13	(1)
Millimetric	13	(1)
Infrared	14	(1)
Optical	14	(2)
Ultraviolet	16	(1)
X rays	16	(2)
Other sources	18	(4)
References and further reading	18	(3)
Problems	21	(1)
Classifications	22	(10)
Hubble classification	23	(2)
Morphology of elliptical galaxies	25	(1)
Morphology of spiral galaxies	25	(7)
References and further reading	28	(2)
Problems	30	(2)
Photometry, Kinematics, and Dark Matter	32	(24)
Luminosity profiles	33	(3)
Doppler line shifts and linewidths	36	(5)
Global scaling laws	41	(4)
Dads matter and cosmology	45	(11)
References and further reading	49	(5)
Problems	54	(2)
Basic Questions, Semiempirical Approach, and The Dynamical Window	56	(7)
Structure	57	(2)
Formation arid evolution	59	(1)
Modelling and some fundamental questions	60	(1)
Relation to other branches of astrophysics	60	(3)
PART TWO: PHYSICAL MODELS	63	(84)
Self-Gravity and Relation to Plasma Physics	65	(1)
Gravity and self-gravity	66	(2)
Collective behavior	68	(1)
A concise dictionary	69	(1)
References and further reading	70	(1)
Problems	70	(1)
Relaxation Times, Absence of Thermodynamical Equilibrium	7l	(83)
Two-star relaxation times	71	(4)
Collisionality in inhomogeneous systems	75	(2)
Collisionless relaxation processes	77	(6)
References and further reading	80	(2)
Problems	82	(1)
Models	83	(15)
Systems of many particles	83	(2)
Continuum limit and stellar dynamics	85	(2)
Fluid limit and fluid models	87	(3)
Virial equations	90	(1)
Asymptotics versus toy models	91	(7)
References and further reading	94	(2)
Problems	96	(2)
Equilibrium and Stability: Symmetry and Symmetry Breaking	98	(11)
The Jeans theorem	99	(3)
Symmetry breaking	102	(3)
Motivation for perturbation analyses	105	(1)
Spiral galaxies versus elliptical galaxies	106	(3)
References and further reading	107	(1)
Problems	108	(1)
Classical Ellipsoids	109	(15)
Ellipsoidal figures of equilibrium	110	(5)
Rigidly rotating equilibrium ellipsoids	115	(2)
The mechanism of bifurcation	117	(7)
References and further reading	121	(2)
Problems	123	(1)
Introduction to Dispersive Waves	124	(13)
Hyperbolic waves	125	(2)
Dispersive waves	127	(4)
Waterwaves	131	(6)
References and further reading	135	(1)
Problems	136	(1)
Jeans Instability	137	(10)
Homogeneous fluid model	137	(4)
Homogeneous kinetic model and Landau damping	141	(2)
Kinetic analysis of a plane-parallel slab	143	(4)
References and further reading	145	(1)
Problems	145	(2)
PART THREE: SPIRAL GALAXIES	147	(148)
Orbits	149	(21)
Action and angle variables	151	(2)
Epicyclic orbits	153	(2)
Rotating frame	155	(1)
Trapping at the Lagrangian points	156	(4)
Equations for the guiding centers	160	(4)
Exact orbits and the problem of self-consistency	164	(6)
References and further reading	167	(1)
Problems	168	(2)
The Basic State: Vertical and Horizontal Equilibrium of the Disk	170	(16)
Vertical equilibrium	171	(4)
Quasi-Maxwellian distribution functions for a cool disk	175	(2)
Exact models	177	(2)
A reference basic state for a one-component model of the disk	179	(7)
References and further reading	183	(2)
Problems	185	(1)
Density Waves	186	(28)
Dispersion relations	189	(5)
Marginal stability	194	(3)
Wave branches	197	(4)
Turning points and resonances	201	(1)
Dynamical mechanisms	202	(5)
The equations of the homogeneous shearing sheet	207	(7)
References and further reading	208	(4)
Problems	212	(2)
Roles of Gas	214	(20)
Waves and effective stability in a two-component disk	215	(5)
The modeling process for a disk of stars and gas	220	(3)
Self-regulation for a disk of stars and gas	223	(1)
Different behaviors of gas and stars at resonances	224	(3)
Role of near-infrared observations	227	(7)
References and further reading	231	(2)
Problems	233	(1)
Global Spiral Modes	234	(19)
Exact equations for linear density perturbations in a fluid disk model	236	(1)
Reduction to an ordinary differential equation for tightly wound perturbations	237	(3)
A two-turning-point problem	240	(3)
Quantum condition and discrete spectrum of spiral modes	243	(2)
From linear modes to spiral structures in galaxies	245	(8)
References and further reading	250	(1)
Problem	251	(2)
Spiral Structure in Galaxies	253	(13)
Quasi-stationary spiral structure and three levels of persistence	254	(2)
Dynamical classification of spiral morphologies	256	(5)
Interpreting specific observed features	261	(1)
Evolution	262	(4)
References and further reading	263	(1)
Problem	264	(2)
Bending Waves	266	(15)
Bending waves in a simple slab model	269	(1)
Disk-halo interaction and related two-stream instability	270	(2)
Inhomogeneous disks and the zero-thickness limit	272	(2)
Bending waves on a current sheet and the solar sectors	274	(7)
References and further reading	277	(3)
Problems	280	(1)
Dark Matter in Spiral Galaxies	281	(14)
Dark matter in our Galaxy	282	(2)
External galaxies	284	(3)
Maximum disk	287	(1)
Dynamical arguments	288	(1)
Modified Newtonian dynamics?	289	(6)
References and further reading	291	(2)
Problems	293	(2)
PART FOUR: ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES	295	(84)
Orbits	297	(16)
Spherical potentials	299	(3)
Classification of potentials in relation to the Jeans theorem	302	(2)
Nonspherical potentials with isolating integrals	304	(5)
More general potentials	309	(4)
References and further reading	310	(1)
Problems	311	(2)
Stellar Dynamical Models	313	(39)
Four approaches	315	(4)
Spherical isotropic models	319	(12)
Anisotropic f∞ models	331	(21)
References and further reading	345	(4)
Problems	349	(3)
Stability	352	(14)
Basic equations for linear modes	353	(6)
The radial orbit instability	359	(7)
References and further reading	363	(2)
Problem	365	(1)
Dark Matter in Elliptical Galaxies	366	(13)
Kinematical tracers	366	(3)
Stellar dynamical diagnostics	369	(3)
Dark matter in groups and clusters	372	(7)
References and further reading	376	(2)
Problem	378	(1)
PART FIVE: IN PERSPECTIVE	379	(24)
Selected Aspects of Formation and Evolution	381	(22)
Collisionless collapse	382	(5)
Dissipative collapse and accretion processes	387	(8)
Global characteristics of galaxies and their evolution	395	(8)
References and further reading	399	(4)
Bibliography	403	(4)
Index	407