Galactic Dynamics (Princeton Series in Astrophysics) (Paperback)

by James Binney (Author), Scott Tremaine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
[The] material is covered with care, rigor, and exemplary clarity; there is nothing obscure, sloppy, or superficial. The authors are, moreover, careful to make clear the limits of present knowledge, and to point out where conclusions cannot yet be drawn.... I expect it to stand as a classic reference for many years to come. -- Review

Review
All astronomers and dynamicists should acquire and read this impressive book. It is both readable and rigorous: destined to become a classic landmark in the subject.
(Times Higher Education Supplement )

[T]his book has no peers.
(Nature )

[The] material is covered with care, rigor, and exemplary clarity; there is nothing obscure, sloppy, or superficial. The authors are, moreover, careful to make clear the limits of present knowledge, and to point out where conclusions cannot yet be drawn. . . . I expect it to stand as a classic reference for many years to come.
(Richard B. Larson American Scientist )

Binney and Tremaine have done a major service to astronomers and physicists alike by producing a magnificent book that will make this fascinating subject much more accessible. This is undoubtedly the best book from which to learn the subject.
(Donald Lynden-Bell Physics Today )

[A]n excellent book--big and fat, and containing everything you ever wanted to know about stellar dynamics. . . . This book must become a landmark in the field.
(New Scientist )

Do make sure that you are familiar with this volume, for you will not be disappointed. James Binney and Scott Tremaine have done the astronomical community a great service in compiling this second edition. It is a masterpiece.
(Michael Perryman Planetary and Space Science ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 755 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691084459
• ISBN-13: 978-0691084459
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #764,544 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Bible" of Galactic Dynamics, April 17, 1998

By A Customer

This book is a very well-known and widely used reference for students in extragalactic astrophysics and stellar dynamics. A solution manual for the problems would be highly welcomed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Galactic Dynamics, January 10, 2007

By	Scott Moulton "SAM" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not for the faint of heart. Well written, but very technical. Needs good math and physics background.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Definitive Work on Galaxies, December 27, 2006

By	James Ware "crabby geezer" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Binney has cleary established Galactic Dynamics and its companion volume Galactic Astronomy as the definitive works on the subject. The NASA Astronomy Abstract Service lists 3411 citations for this book as of 12/2006 so it is clearly an important part of the literature of astrophysics.

This book is written at the graduate or researcher level. As it deals with the behavior of galaxies, potential theory, energy distribution, angular momentium and dark matter so the mathematics employed are quite powerful.