N-body simulations of gravitational dynamics

TL;DR

This paper reviews the astrophysical and numerical foundations of N-body simulations, covering methods for dense star clusters, galactic centers, and large-scale structures, highlighting current algorithms, historical context, and future directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of N-body simulation techniques, their applications, and critiques, along with insights into future improvements in the field.

Findings

Summarizes key algorithms used in N-body simulations.

Discusses the historical development and major results of N-body studies.

Identifies potential future directions for simulation improvements.

Abstract

We describe the astrophysical and numerical basis of N-body simulations, both of collisional stellar systems (dense star clusters and galactic centres) and collisionless stellar dynamics (galaxies and large-scale structure). We explain and discuss the state-of-the-art algorithms used for these quite different regimes, attempt to give a fair critique, and point out possible directions of future improvement and development. We briefly touch upon the history of N-body simulations and their most important results.