Dynamics Of Galaxies

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 powerful computer simulations have been instrumental in this. This textbook provides graduate students with a complete and thorough introduction to galactic dynamics and leads them right up to the forefront of current research. The first two parts of the book clearly define the astrophysical problems and the basic 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. Although rich in quantitative analysis, mathematics is kept to a minimum. Full derivations are provided when important and useful for more general purposes. Problems are included throughout the book to help test the reader's understanding. 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.