Stellar dynamics
Stellar dynamics is the branch of
astrophysics which describes in a statistical way the collective motions of
stars subject to their mutual gravity. The long range of gravity and the slow "relaxation" of stellar systems prevent the use of the methods of statistical physics. The motion of stars in a
galaxy or in a
globular cluster are principally determined by the average distribution of the other, distant stars, and little influenced by the nearest stars.
Encyclopedia
Stellar dynamics is the branch of
astrophysics which describes in a statistical way the collective motions of
stars subject to their mutual gravity. The long range of gravity and the slow "relaxation" of stellar systems prevent the use of the methods of statistical physics. The motion of stars in a
galaxy or in a
globular cluster are principally determined by the average distribution of the other, distant stars, and little influenced by the nearest stars.
