Dynamics and Astrophysics of Galaxies

A modern textbook on galactic dynamics that encourages hands-on learning using the latest computational methods This book provides an in-depth introduction to the dynamics, formation, and evolution of galaxies. Starting with the basics of galactic structure and galactic dynamics, it helps students develop a sophisticated understanding of the orbital structure of spirals, ellipticals, and other types of galaxies. The book demonstrates how observations led to the discovery that galaxies are dominated by dark matter and explores in detail how structure evolves from the primordial universe to form the halos that host galaxies when the gravitational attraction of an overdense region overcomes cosmological expansion. Dynamics and Astrophysics of Galaxies uses simple yet realistic models to illustrate the many galactic processes observed today through hierarchical merging and gas accretion, gas cooling and star formation, and internal evolution due to bars, spiral structure, and chemical enrichment. Covers topics ranging from the gravitational potentials of spherical, disk, and ellipsoidal systems to the properties of orbits in different mass distributions, equilibrium models of galaxies, chemical evolution, gravitational lensing, the growth of structure, hierarchical galaxy formation, disk (in)stability, bars, and spirals Includes nearly 200 exercises, enabling students to apply the concepts discussed in the book while honing their analytic and computational skills Accompanied by an online version of the book that includes interactive visualizations and executable Python code An ideal textbook for graduate students and advanced undergraduates and an invaluable reference for researchers