Physics 431/750: Galactic Dynamics

Fall 2011

Course Outline



[SG = Sparke & Gallagher, BT = Binney & Tremaine, BM = Binney & Merrifield]

  1. Introduction: The Milky Way and other galaxies  [BM Chapter 1; SG Sections 1.2, 1.3]
  2. Astronomical basics: properties of stars  [SG Sections 1.1, 2.1, 2.2; BT Section 1.1]
  3. Properties of stars (continued)  [SG Sections 1.1, 2.1, 2.2; BT Section 1.1]
  4. Properties of stars (continued)  [SG Sections 1.1, 2.1, 2.2; BT Sections 1.1, 3.2.3]
  5. Galactic structure and kinematics  [SG Sections 2.2, 2.3; BT Sections 1.1, 3.2.3]
  6. Galactic structure and kinematics (continued)  [SG Sections 2.3, 2.4]
  7. Star formation  [SG Sections 2.4, 8.5.1; BT Sec. 5.2, Appendix F; handout]
  8. Star formation (continued)  [SG Sections 2.4, 8.5.1; BT Sec. 5.2, Appendix F; handout]
  9. Stellar dynamics  [SG Sections 3.1, 3.3; BT Section 3.1]
  10. Stellar dynamics (continued)  [SG Sections 3.1, 3.3; BT Section 3.1]
  11. MID-TERM EXAMINATION

  12. Motion in a 1-D potential field  [SG Sections 3.1, 3.3; BT Section 3.1; handout]
  13. The two-body problem  [SG Sections 3.1, 3.2, 4.5; BT Sections 1.2, 7.1]
  14. Scattering and relaxation  [SG Section 3.2; BT Sections 1.2, 7.1]
  15. Collisional systems  [SG Section 3.2; BT Sections 1.2, 7.1]
  16. Dynamical evolution  [SG Sections 3.2, 7.1; BT Section xxx]
  17. Distribution functions and the Jeans equation  [SG Section 3.4; BT Sections xxx]
  18. Jeans theorem and self-consistent dynamical models  [SG Section 3.4; BT Sections xxx]
  19. Disk galaxies  [SG Sections 5.3, 5.5; BT Section 5.3]
  20. Spiral structure  [SG Sections 5.3, 5.5; BT Sections 6.1, 6.2]