English

Dynamics of Disks and Warps

Astrophysics of Galaxies 2015-05-19 v3 Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics

Abstract

This chapter reviews theoretical work on the stellar dynamics of galaxy disks. All the known collective global instabilities are identified, and their mechanisms described in terms of local wave mechanics. A detailed discussion of warps and other bending waves is also given. The structure of bars in galaxies, and their effect on galaxy evolution, is now reasonably well understood, but there is still no convincing explanation for their origin and frequency. Spiral patterns have long presented a special challenge, and ideas and recent developments are reviewed. Other topics include scattering of disk stars and the survival of thin disks.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1006.4855,
  title  = {Dynamics of Disks and Warps},
  author = {J. A. Sellwood},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1006.4855},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

Chapter accepted to appear in Planets, Stars and Stellar Systems, vol 5, ed G. Gilmore. 32 pages, 17 figures. Includes minor corrections made in proofs. Uses emulateapj.sty

R2 v1 2026-06-21T15:40:41.045Z