Galactic Dynamics, James Binney, Scott Tremaine. Princeton University Press, Princeton And Oxford (2008). 885pp., Isbn-13: 978-0-691-13026-2 (cloth), Isbn-13: 978-0-691-13027-9 (paper)

摘要

Always majestic, often spectacularly beautiful, galaxies are the fundamental building blocks of the Universe. The enquiring mind cannot help asking how they formed, how they function, and what will become of them in the distant future. These are the opening words of James Binney and Scott Tremaine's second edition of their landmark text which first appeared in 1987, and which subsequently became the most widely used advanced textbook on the structure and dynamics of galaxies. Still extensively cited, the original treatment has aged well although, 20 years later, significant parts naturally demanded an overhaul. In this second edition, the original authors have brought the topic up-to-date, and delivered an advanced textbook which, through its clear and masterful exposition, will be both a tutorial for graduate students and researchers, as well as a fundamental reference on stellar dynamics for those at the forefront of astronomical research.