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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.
Part I. Basic Phenomenology
1. Scales
2. Observational windows
3. Classifications
4. Photometry, kinematics, dark matter
5. Basic questions, semi-empirical approach, dynamical window
Part II. Physical Models
6. Self-gravity and relation with plasma physics
7. Relaxation times, absence of thermodynamical equilibrium
8. Models
9. Equilibrium and stability: symmetry and symmetry breaking
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 in the disk
15. Density waves
16. Role 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 approach
23. Stability
24. Dark matter in elliptical galaxies
25. Selected aspects of formation and evolution
Notes
Index
"This textbook provides graduate students with a self-contained and accessible introduction to modern galactic dynamics and help equip them with useful tools and sound intuition for research beyond."
- Europe and Astronomy
"In Dynamics of Galaxies [the author] provides graduate students with a complete and thorough introduction to galactic dynamics and leads them right up to the forefront of current research. Throughout, the emphasis is on developing a clear understanding and good physical intuition of the processes involved [...] mathematics is kept to a minimum. This makes the book readable for advanced amateurs, as well. This textbook provides graduate students with a self-contained and accessible introduction to modern galactic dynamics and help equip them with useful tools and sound intuition for research beyond."
- Orion (Societé Astronomique de Suisse)
"Giuseppe Bertin's Dynamics of Galaxies is an elucidating account of a graduate course given by Bertin over the past two decades [...] Bertin's book is particularly useful for students interested in mathematical methods of galactic dynamics. Bertin's comparisons between galactic dynamics and plasma physics are also innovative and illustrative."
- Debra Elmegreen and Bruce C. Elmegreen, Physics Today
"Many of his descriptions are particularly good for beginning graduate students: his chapter on dispersive waves, for example. Each chapter includes thought-provoking questions. [...] Bertin's book is particularly useful for students interested in mathematical methods of galactic dynamics. Bertin's comparisons between galactic dynamics and plasma physics are also innovative and illustrative."
- Physics Today
