Introduction to Stellar Dynamics

ISBN-13: 9781107001534 / Angielski / Twarda / 2021 / 300 str.

Italy) Bologna Luca Ciotti (Università degli Studi

Opis

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.

Recenzje

'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

Spis treści

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 ρ to f. Appendix. Bibliography. Index.