Description
Outline and Aims:
This module aims to:
- Give a detailed description of a many-body system under the influence of gravitational forces, with special emphasis on the structure of galaxies and stellar clusters.
- Present the basics of structure formation and evolution in a cosmological context, in order to understand the formation process of galaxies.
- Show the kinematic properties of stellar motions in the Milky Way galaxy, as a special case of a dynamical system under gravity.
- Explain the process of galactic chemical enrichment as a tool to understand the evolution of galaxies.
Teaching and Learning Methodology:
This module is delivered via weekly lectures supplemented by a series of workshops and additional discussion.
In addition to timetabled lecture hours, it is expected that students engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form, for example, of practicing example questions and further reading in textbooks and online.
Indicative Topics:
- The observational properties of galaxies and clusters
- The mathematical foundations of stellar dynamics.
- The Milky Way I: Individual motions
- The Milky Way II: The Collisionless Boltzmann Equation
- Evolution of dynamical systems
- Stellar clusters
- Galaxy dynamics applied to Disc and Elliptical galaxies
- Galaxy formation basics I & II
- Chemical Evolution of Galaxies
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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