F8567 Dynamics and evolution of galaxies

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Bruno Jungwiert, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Bruno Jungwiert, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Bruno Jungwiert, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
F7567 Structure of galaxies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The lecture discusses structure, dynamics and cosmological evolution of galaxies. Provides theoretical framework to interpret observational data. Topics include: gravitational potential theory, orbits of stars and gas, fluid approach to stellar dynamics, gravitational instabilities, spiral density waves theory, galaxy collisions, dark matter, hierarchical formation of the Universe; coevolution of galaxies and central super-massive black holes; introduction to N-body modeling.
Learning outcomes
Students learn the gravitational potential theory, orbits of stars and gas, fluid approach to stellar dynamics, gravitational instabilities, spiral density waves theory, galaxy collisions, dark matter, hierarchical formation of the Universe; coevolution of galaxies and central super-massive black holes; introduction to N-body modeling.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction - galaxies in the expanding cosmic web - galaxy classifications (Hubble sequence, revised de Vaucouleurs system) - mass-scales, length-scales, time-scales - galactic components: disk, bulge, halo, spiral arms, bars, star clusters - luminosity profiles, luminosity function - stellar populations, gas and dark matter
  • 2. Gravitational potential of galaxies - Poisson equation, potential-density pairs - circular and escape velocity - spherical, axisymmetric and tri-axial potentials - Newton theorems
  • 3. Stellar orbits - epicyclic approximation, vertical oscillations - integrals of motion, stability of orbits - 3D orbital structure, velocity ellipsoid - rotating potentials, orbits in barred galaxies, Lindblad resonances
  • 4. Fluid approach to stellar dynamics - stellar distribution function - collisionless and collisional Boltzmann equation - two-body relaxation, relaxation time - Jeans equations and comparison to hydro-dynamical equations - equilibria of stellar systems, Jeans theorems
  • 5. Stability of stellar systems - Jeans instability in 2D and 3D, dispersion relations - gravitational instability in rotating systems, Toomre criterion - two-component (stars+gas) gravitational instability
  • 6. Density waves in galaxies - spiral density wave theory - swing amplification - bar forming instability
  • 7. Galaxy interactions - dynamical friction - tidal stretching/stripping, ram pressure - galaxy mergers
  • 8. Active galactic nuclei (AGN) - supermassive black holes in galactic centers - M-sigma relation - fueling of AGN, angular momentum transport - binary black holes, gravitational slingshot, gravitational rocket
  • 9. Introduction to N-body modeling - integration of equations of motion - gravity softening - basic N-body methods (direct, particle-mesh, tree-code)
  • 10. Formation and evolution of galaxies - gravitational instability in the expanding Universe - hierarchical galaxy formation - star formation in galaxies - star formation-AGN-galaxy feedback - evolution of galaxies along the Hubble sequence - coevolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes
Literature
  • Binney, James - Tremaine Scott. Galactic dynamics. Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2 edition, 2008. 920 s. ISBN 0-691-13027-2.
  • BINNEY, James and Michael MERRIFIELD. Galactic astronomy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998, 796 s. ISBN 0-691-02565-7. info
Teaching methods
lectures, class discussion
Assessment methods
class type: lectures, discussions, exercises
evaluation: 2 written tests + final oral exam
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught: every week.
General note: S.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2009, Spring 2011, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2015, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Spring 2021, Spring 2023.
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