Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Kevin H. Prendergast papers
Prendergast, Kevin H., 1929-2004
5490814
MS#1023
English
.
20 linear feet
48 boxes
1954-1990
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into 12 series.
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Summary
Correspondence, manuscripts, lectures, notes, and printed materials of Kevin H. Prendergast, a prominent astronomer who worked in the fields off dynamics of many-body systems, the rotation curves of galaxies, and X-ray binary systems.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Kevin H. Prendergast papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
2004-2005-M35: Source of acquisition--Jane Prendergast. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--2/1/2005.
Biographical / Historical
Prendergast received his Ph.D. at Columbia in 1954 and then went to the University of Chicago, returning to Columbia as a professor in 1962. He chaired the Columbia astronomy department from 1978 to 1984, retiring in 2000 with a long trail of successful young theorists in his wake. Prendergast was an icon in the field of dynamics of many-body systems. He also was well known for a series of papers in the 1960s and 1970s, written with Geoffrey and Margaret Burbidge, on understanding the rotation curves of galaxies. Numerous theoretical studies of the structure of galaxies followed, and he was a pioneer in the study of X-ray binary systems. In addition to Prendergast's professional accomplishments, he was also a skilled pianist and an avid sailor. During his long career, Prendergast became famous for using yellow legal pads, on which he had scrawled analyses of many problems in astronomical dynamics. His classes were renowned for the exactitude of his standards and the high percentage of faculty in attendance. During one year, regularly attending faculty outnumbered students.
Processing Information
Papers processed Wei-Hwan Chiang 10/2005.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Cosmology
X-ray binaries
Barred galaxies -- Rotation
Galactic dynamics
Stellar dynamics
Spiral galaxies -- Rotation
Dwarf galaxies
Stars -- Clusters
X-ray sources, Galactic -- Accretion
Asteroids
Columbia University. Department of Astronomy
Series I: PersonalSubseries I.1: PhotographyPhotograph (1)1Subseries 1.2: CorrespondenceChandra1Contopolous1Penthame1Pesch, Peter1Slyz, Adrianne1Spiegel, Edward1Xu, Kun2Series II: AstronomySubseries II.1: CosmologyEquations about cosmology166 pages3Subseries II.2: Dynamics of Galaxies: GeneralGalactic Dynamics3Gravitational slab problem3One-dimensional self-gravitating gas3Time dependent one-dimensional stellar system3Self consistent galaxy models (axisymmetric)3Instability of rings (of mass)4Computer simulation of galactic evolution4Stochastic star formation in disk galaxies (mathematical description of a game theory)4Stellar dynamics with star formation4"Oseen" approximation based on streamlines, etc.4Theoretical studies of M1014Subseries II.3: Dynamics of Galaxies: Spiral GalaxiesLinear spiral structure5Stability of spiral arm shocks5Thin gas disk: asymptotic theory of spiral arms (warped disk as finite system of coupled rings)5Spiral Arm Problems: Linblad Resonance5Subseries II.4: Dynamics of Galaxies: Barred Spiral GalaxiesBarred Spirals[1974?]5Barred Spirals5Barred spiral galaxies (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII)(1960s, 1970s)6Barred spiral galaxies—some plots & shock waves in barred spiral galaxies6Barred spirals Roche modes6Gradient wind approximation6Potential of oblate spheroid6Symmetry properties6Theoretical studies of gas flow in barred spiral galaxies7Barred spiral shocks7Barred spiral galaxies: material for a talk based on a paper on "Theoretical studies of gas flows in barred spiral galaxies" by K. Prendergast7Barred spiral galaxies [talk], Yale19787Talk given by Kevin Prendergast on barred spiral galaxies19827Subseries II.5: Dynamics of Galaxies: Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies (and Elliptical Galaxies)Dwarf elliptical galaxies--analytical approximation (two-fluid with gravity)7Two-fluid spherical models8Analytic approximation, two-fluid with gravity8Modeling the formation of elliptical and dwarf galaxies using a spheroidal two-fluid system with self-gravity8Numerical Simulations of the Formation of Dwarf Ellipticals (I,II, III, IV, V)8Marseille collaboration papers (published)8Marseille9Marseille10Marseille11Marseille12Marseille13Marseille numerical simulation results and some theoretical analysis of those models14Marseille numerical simulations15Marseille numerical simulations16Marseille numerical simulations17Marseille numerical simulation results performed at Marseille Observatory, France (collaborators Lia Athanassoula et al.)198818Numerical models (including programs) and results for one-dimensional two-fluid (Cartesian grid) and Marseille models18Dwarf galaxies formation models (Marseille 1994) and other numerical modeling results (including programs)18Various numerical simulation results of the Marseille collaboration [mostly in the form of diagrams]19Marseille Observatory simulation results used for Columbia Astrofest talk199619Dwarf elliptical galaxy formation, talk given at Columbia199019Subseries II.6: Dynamics of Galaxies: Star-Gas Interactions in GalaxiesTwo-fluid (stars and gas) linear stability analysis198019Two-fluid hydrodynamic model1978193-fluid model (gas, high mass star, low mass star)19Two-fluid star-gas model [talk], Charlottesville, Virginia20Talk given at European Southern Observatory, Munich, Germany19Subseries II.7: Star ClustersEscape of stars from clusters: statistical mechanical approach1980s20Subseries II.8: Accretion DisksX-ray generation in accretion disk in binary systems, gas streams in close binary systems20Binary Stellar Systems20Subseries II.9: AsteroidAsteroid1950s21Rotating asteroid1950s21Rotating asteroid (I, II, III, IV, V)195021Subseries II.10: Few- and N-body Problems, and Celestial MechanicsStatistics of the gravitational three- and four-body problems22Statistics of three-body problem22N-body problem197023Large N problems (N-particle systems)23N-Body, NYU198023Celestial mechanics I23Celestial mechanics II23Subseries II.11: Hydrodynamics, Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, and Gas-Kinetic TheoryA series of analytic studies (notebooks I-VI) on hydrodynamics, as moment equations of the Boltzmann equation24Singularities of one dimensional hydrodynamic system using pseudo Liouville equation24Gravity in the BGK scheme for hydrodynamics24Solution of the Krook equation at shock24Collisional hydrodynamic scheme (CHS)—theoretical derivation of the method24Radial flow25Wave-driven winds—several manuscripts25Breaking waves198425Nonlinear convection[1980s?]25Nonlinear convection—rational approximation[1981?]25Turbulence sphere1970s25Angular momentum (of turbulent fluid)26Hydrodynamics—variational principle26Burger's equation26Burger's equation—singularities (inviscid)26Burger's equation—two-dimensional inviscid26Burger's equation with viscosity and potential27Burger's equation (two-dimensional inviscid)—singularities (talk given at Columbia)27Gas Kinetic Theory in General (including Radiative Transfer)27Hydrodynamics in General27Subseries II.12: MagnetohydrodynamicsHydromagnetic similarity solutions I197527Hydromagnetic similarity solutions II27Axisymmetric time-dependent self-similar force-free fields27Force-free fields (axisymmetric)27Series III: Dynamical Systems and Applied MathematicsHamiltonian system (H=1⁄2(X.2+Y.2+X2+Y2)+X2Y)28Variational principle for Hamiltonian systems and vanishing Henyey determinant[1980s?]28Duffing equation28Duffing with driving29Duffing equation: NR correction29Duffing, van der Pol—high order approximation (rational approximation[1980s?]29Van der Pol oscillator[1980s?]29Van der Pol oscillator29Hamilton-Jacobi equation29Fourier-Pade (x..+x7=0), higher order correction29Fourier-Pade equation29Fourier Pade equation ( (x..+x3=0), higher order correction29Fourier-Pade integration30Pade: 2D: ordinary differential equations of higher order, 1D: quadratic, etc.30Mathieu equation30Mathieu equation: two-point approximation30kdV equation with implicit function30Liouville equation30Liouville equation (Woods Hole)196930Eckonal equation30Rational approximation near w=0 (potential maximum)30Rational-function orbits30Rational approximation for a Hamiltonian system31Rational approximation for non-linear ordinary differential equations31"N/D"—rational approximation31Discussion on the paper "Rational Approximations for a Hamiltonian System"31Non-linear approximation: general discussions31Non-linear approximation for ordinary differential equation31Non-linear approximation for periodic orbits in a Hamiltonian System31Non-linear oscillations32Non-linear dynamics32Singular point approximation—solution of D.E. at an assumed pole[1980s?]32Singularities and bifurcation32(Equation) periodic solutions32Bifurcation and vanishing of Henyey matrix and other difference equations32"Implicit" form of solutions to ordinary difference equations32Difference equations with noise32Stretched coordinate systems32Miscellaneous32Talk on Non-linear mechanics (Fourier-Pade), New York University32Series IV: Numerical HydrodynamicsNumerical hydrodynamics: beam schemes33Beam scheme33Continuous beam scheme33Three-dimensional axisymmetric cylindrical beam scheme with body force33Numerical Hydrodyamics from gas-kinetic theory34Numerical Navier-Stokes solution from gas-kinetic theory-K Xu, and K Prendergast34Numerical Navier-Stokes solution from gas-kinetic theory—Kun Xu and Kevin Prendergast34Paper II: final copy34Paper II: KX and KHP Navier-Stokes Paper34Applied Math Seminar Notes (non-linear equations)34Numerical Hydro-Spare35Miscellaneous notes on non-linear dynamics and hydrodynamics Codes35Difference scheme from Hamiltonian principle35Talk given at Supercomputer Conference, Santa Clara198935Numerical hydrodynamics—talks at, Woods Hole & Columbia University7/25/2000 & 9/27/200035Applied Math Seminar Notes (non-linear equations)35Series V: Applications of Hydrodynamics and Rarified Gas DynamicsSlider bearing (for IBM Research)1980s35Long mean-free-path approximation for slider bearing1980s35Viscous flow with surface tension (for IBM Research[1980s?]36Water waves (test cases) (for IBM Research)198036Series VI: MiscellaneousOptics (and singularities)—Catastrophe Optics?198036Spectral Line Formation36Photoelectrical Photometry36Thomas-Fermi quantization36Computation of curves of constant P (a,b,c)36Statistics36Research Proposals: National Science Foundation36Series VII: Published PapersKHP Bibliography37Reprints of K Prendergast37Marseille Collaboration Papers37Prendergast, Kevin On the color-magnitude diagram of the globular cluster Centauri1954Ph.D. thesis37Some published papers related to two-fluid model for stars and gas in galaxies38Nature of some X-Ray sources196838Some published papers of galactic dynamics38Preprints of various published papers by K. Prendergast38University of Paris symposium on numerical simulation of formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies38Tsiang, Eugene Yu-Kong The accretion disk model of X-ray stars, Columbia University1977Ph.D. thesis38Numerical hydrodynamic solutions based on BGK38Xu, Kun Numerical hydrodynamics from gas-kinetic theory, Columbia University[n.d.]Ph.D. thesis39Gravitational potential of a disk spiral galaxy—B. Barbanis and K. Prendergast39Time-Independent Gravitational Fields in the BGK Scheme for Hydrodynamics (Slyz, Prendergast)39Series VIII: Lecture NotesSubseries VIII.1: Graduate School Courses (developed by K. Prendergast)Mechanics (Vol I, II)39Classical mechanics39Basic astronomical data39Contemporary Astrophysics40Astrophysics40Astrophysics II40Special relativity40Relativity, gravitation, and black holes40Radiation transfer40Gas stream in close binary systems40Galactic dynamics40Galactic accretion40Introduction to Stellar Evolution41Electromagnetic theory41Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics41Statistical Mechanics41Prendergast Lectures for CorrectionJan 10, 196941Statistical Mechanics41Continuum PhysicsFall 7841Hydro Course notes41Classical Theory of Radiation I41Classical Theory of Radiation II41Subseries VIII.2: Lecture notes on undergraduate coursesSpecial relativity41Subseries VIII.3: Lecture notes on graduate school courses (developed by others)Galactic dynamics (by L. Woltijer)41Quantum Mechanics42Electromagnetic theory42Classical mechanics42GNRI—Generalized Newton-Raphson code for boundary value problem developed by Norman Baker42Series IX: Astronomy Department/Professional OrganizationsAstronomy Department/Professional Organizations material43Series X: EphemeraDiskettes44Glass Plates44Reel44Series XI: Papers by OthersPapers by others45Papers by others46Series XII: Printed MaterialPrinted Material47Printed Material48