Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I Idealized homogeneous systems – basic ideas and gentle relaxation
- Part II Infinite inhomogeneous systems – galaxy clustering
- Part III Finite spherical systems – clusters of galaxies, galactic nuclei, globular clusters
- Part IV Finite flattened systems – galaxies
- Index
Part IV - Finite flattened systems – galaxies
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 July 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I Idealized homogeneous systems – basic ideas and gentle relaxation
- Part II Infinite inhomogeneous systems – galaxy clustering
- Part III Finite spherical systems – clusters of galaxies, galactic nuclei, globular clusters
- Part IV Finite flattened systems – galaxies
- Index
Summary
As we move from the idealizations of mathematical physics to the messy realities of astronomical systems, the very nature of our understanding is transformed. From basic principles we move to models, and from general models to special examples. Observed examples seldom do more than whisper the approximations we need to decode them. All we have left for guidance is a jumble of parametrized ideas, and a hope of relations among them. We understand through the inspired guess, or by accident.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Gravitational Physics of Stellar and Galactic Systems , pp. 397 - 398Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1985