Astrometric Tests of Galactic Evolution
Abstract
There are many fundamental aspects of Galactic structure and evolution which can be studied best or exclusively with high quality three dimensional kinematics. Amongst these we note as examples determination of the orientation of the stellar velocity ellipsoid, and the detection of structure in velocity-position phase space. The first of these is the primary limitation at present to reliable and accurate measurement of the Galactic gravitational potential. The second is a critical test of current standard models of Galactic formation and detection of structure in velocity-position phase space. The first of these is the primary limitation at present to reliable and accurate measurement of the Galactic gravitational potential. The second is a critical test of current standard models of Galactic formation and evolution.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9411068,
title = {Astrometric Tests of Galactic Evolution},
author = {Gerard Gilmore},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9411068},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
6 pages, Review at IAUSymp 166, Kluwer crckapbk latex macro required