F8567 Dynamics and evolution of galaxies

Faculty of Science
Spring 2021
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
Timetable
Mon 1. 3. to Fri 14. 5. Thu 14:00–15:50 F3,03015
Prerequisites (in Czech)
F7567 Structure of galaxies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The goal of the lecture is to offer students a deeper understanding of galaxy dynamics and evolution (the course is a follow-up of the introductory lecture on galaxies, F7567 - Structure and kinematics of galaxies) and provide them a theoretical framework for interpreting observational data. The topics include the theory of the gravitational potential, fluid approach to the collisionless stellar dynamics (Boltzmann equation, Jeans equations), description of equilibrium states and gravitational instabilities, theory of spiral density waves, galaxy collisions, hierarchical formation of cosmic structure, coevolution of galaxies and central supermassive blackholes, introduction to N-body simulations of galaxies and of the large-scale cosmic web.
Learning outcomes
After having attended the course, students will be able to:
- explain and apply basic equations of the collisionless stellar dynamics, and use them to find simple model solutions in the form of equilibrium states (time-independent profiles of density and velocity fields)
- describe (in words as well as by means of corresponding equations) basic types of gravitational instabilities relevant for galaxies and derive for them dispersion relations and stability criteria (Jeans criterion, Toomre criterion)
- describe (in words as well as by means of corresponding equations) behavior of stars and gas in static and evolving gravitational potentials of galaxies, including the transfer of angular momentum in non-axisymmetric systems (bar+spiral arms) and corresponding radial migration
- describe basic internal and external mechanisms of galaxy evolution
Syllabus
  • 1. Two-body relaxation, relaxation time; galaxies as collisionless stellar systems;
  • 2. Fluid description of galaxies: Liouville's equation, distribution function, collisionless Boltzmann equation
  • 3. Solutions of the Boltzmann collisionless equation for spherically symmetric and axially symmetric systems; expressing distribution function as a function of integrals of motion; Jeans theorems
  • 4. Jeans equations of stellar dynamics and their derivation from the Boltzmann equation
  • 5. Applications of Jeans equations: basic equilibrium states, radial profiles of velocity dispersion, asymmetric drift in disk galaxies
  • 6. Virial theorem: scalar and tensor forms
  • 7. Stability of stellar systems: Jeans instability in 2D and 3D, wave equation, dispersion relation, Jeans wavelength
  • 8. Gravitational instability in rotating systems, Toomre criterion, two-component gravitational instability (stars+gas)
  • 9. Density waves in galaxies: theory of spiral density waves; swing amplification; alternative theories of spiral structure (kinematic density waves, propagating star formation)
  • 10. Bar instability; galactic bar - its structure and rotation; Lindblad and corotation resonances; orbits of gas and stars in the barred potential; Fourier expansion of the barred + spiral potential
  • 11. Evolution and transfer of angular momentum in the stellar and gas components; radial migration of stars/gas
  • 12. Interactions of galaxies: dynamical friction, tidal phenomena, dynamical pressure and gas stripping; the role of interactions vs internal evolution (nature vs nurture)
  • 13. Active galactic nuclei (AGN): supermassive blackholes in galactic centers, M-sigma relation, gas inflow into AGN, angular momentum transfer, binary black holes, gravitational slingshot, gravitational rocket
  • 14. Introduction into N-body simulations: integrating the equations of motion, gravity softening, basic N-body techniques
  • 15. Formation and evolution of galaxies: gravitational instability in the expanding Universe; hierarchical formation of galaxies by merging; history of star formation in galaxies; evolution of galaxies along the Hubble sequence; coevolution of galaxies and central supermassive black holes
Literature
    recommended literature
  • BINNEY, James and Scott TREMAINE. Galactic dynamics. 2nd ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008, xvi, 885. ISBN 9780691130279. 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)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
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 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2021/F8567