Astronomy: Dynamical Astronomy

<p>In this course you will learn a number of basic concepts that are used to describe gravitationally dominated dynamic systems within astronomy (for example star clusters, galaxies and galaxy groups), and how to apply these concepts to analyse such systems by means of observational data.</p><p>The course contains the following parts: Newtonian gravitation and dynamics. Reference systems and units. Galactic coordinates. Astrometry and the determination of the distance, the motion and distribution. The HR-diagram and the stellar colours, luminosities and ages of stars. Stellar kinematics. Circular motions. The motion of the sun and the local velocity standard. The rotation curve, differential galactic rotation and Oort's constants. Force, potential, and Poisson’s equation. Non-circular motion in the galactic plane. The potential of the galaxy and galactic orbits. Statistical description of distributions and motions. The phase space, the collision free Boltzmann equation and Jeans's equations. Applications of the Jeans equations to dynamical determination of masses and mass density.</p>