Galactic Dynamics

Preface xiii Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1 An overview of the observations 5 1.2 Collisionless systems and the relaxation time 33 The relaxation time 34 1.3 The cosmological context 37 Chapter 2. Potential Theory 55 2.1 General results 56 The potential-energy tensor 59 2.2 Spherical systems 60 2.3 Potential-density pairs for attened systems 72 2.4 Multipole expansion 78 2.5 The potentials of spheroidal and ellipsoidal systems 83 2.6 The potentials of disks 96 2.7 The potential of our Galaxy 110 2.8 Potentials from functional expansions 118 2.9 Poisson solvers for N-body codes 122 Chapter 3. The Orbits of Stars 142 3.1 Orbits in static spherical potentials 143 3.2 Orbits in axisymmetric potentials 159 3.3 Orbits in planar non-axisymmetric potentials 171 3.4 Numerical orbit integration 196 3.5 Angle-action variables 211 3.6 Slowly varying potentials 237 3.7 Perturbations and chaos 243 3.8 Orbits in elliptical galaxies 262 Chapter 4. Equilibria of Collisionless Systems 274 4.1 The collisionless Boltzmann equation 275 4.2 Jeans theorems 283 4.3 DFs for spherical systems 287 4.4 DFs for axisymmetric density distributions 312 4.5 DFs for razor-thin disks 329 4.6 Using actions as arguments of the DF 333 4.7 Particle-based and orbit-based models 338 4.8 The Jeans and virial equations 347 4.9 Stellar kinematics as a mass detector 365 4.10 The choice of equilibrium 376 Chapter 5. Stability of Collisionless Systems 394 5.1 Introduction 394 5.2 The response of homogeneous systems 401 5.3 General theory of the response of stellar systems 417 5.4 The energy principle and secular stability 423 5.5 The response of spherical systems 432 5.6 The stability of uniformly rotating systems 439 Chapter 6. Disk Dynamics and Spiral Structure 456 6.1 Fundamentals of spiral structure 458 6.2 Wave mechanics of differentially rotating disks 481 6.3 Global stability of differentially rotating disks 505 6.4 Damping and excitation of spiral structure 518 6.5 Bars 528 6.6 Warping and

James Binney is professor of physics at the University of Oxford. His books include "Galactic Astronomy". Scott Tremaine is the Richard Black Professor of Astrophysics at the Institute for Advanced Study and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Both are fellows of the Royal Society.

Winner of the 2013 Eddington Medal, Royal Astronomical Society "All astronomers and dynamicists should acquire and read this impressive book. It is both readable and rigorous: destined to become a classic landmark in the subject."--Times Higher Education Supplement "[T]his book has no peers."--Nature "[The] material is covered with care, rigor, and exemplary clarity; there is nothing obscure, sloppy, or superficial. The authors are, moreover, careful to make clear the limits of present knowledge, and to point out where conclusions cannot yet be drawn... I expect it to stand as a classic reference for many years to come."--Richard B. Larson, American Scientist "Binney and Tremaine have done a major service to astronomers and physicists alike by producing a magnificent book that will make this fascinating subject much more accessible. This is undoubtedly the best book from which to learn the subject."--Donald Lynden-Bell, Physics Today "[A]n excellent book--big and fat, and containing everything you ever wanted to know about stellar dynamics... This book must become a landmark in the field."--New Scientist "Do make sure that you are familiar with this volume, for you will not be disappointed. James Binney and Scott Tremaine have done the astronomical community a great service in compiling this second edition. It is a masterpiece."--Michael Perryman, Planetary and Space Science "[T]his is a great book, already evident from the fact that since its 1st edition nobody has attempted to rival it. It is an absolute must for everybody, from PhD students to senior researchers, whose studies touch upon the subject of galaxy dynamics. A great strength of this book ... lies in Binney & Tremaine's ability to explain even the most complicated of concepts and arguments in a straightforward and logical way."--Walter Dehnen, The Observatory "Grab yourself a copy of Galactic Dynamics and buckle up lads and lassies. Don't forget the protective head gear and the strong coffee--it's