Gravitational Dynamics and Galaxy Formation

Knowledge:

• The reionisation of the Universe
• Dark matter, stellar and gas structures. Their properties, creation and development.
• Rotation curves of spiral galaxies
• Hydrostatic equilibrium, and its application on galaxies and galaxy clusters.
• Jeans equation, the solution hereof, and application on realistic systems.
• Equilibrium of collisionsless systems, Boltzmann equation. Potential theory. Stellar motions.

 
Skills:

• The ability to determine rotation curves for spiral galaxies from real data.
• The ability to estimate chemical abundances from spectra of high-redshift quasars and gamma-ray bursts
• Deep insight and certain application of the basic equations for cosmological structures.
• Detailed knowledge of the solutions of the Jeans equation, and its application to realistic systems.
• Detailed knowledge of the application of hydrostatic equilibrium for realistic systems.
• The ability to critically interpret scientific overview articles within the subject.

 
Competences:
This course will provide the student with a qualitative understanding of cosmological structures. The student will also develop the conceptual, mathematical and numerical skills needed when studying the literature within the subject and in wider astrophysical connections. The course will establish a solid foundation for a M.Sc. project in phenomenological, theoretical or observational astrophysics.