In astronomy and astrophysics, Professor Byrd does theoretical studies of the dynamics of galaxies and the properties of groups and clusters of galaxies. His primary tool in these studies is computer simulations, making him a kind of experimental astronomer. With collaborators, he has done studies of the dynamics and past history of the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way Galaxy, and their satellites, as well as the beautiful ``Whirlpool Galaxy," M51 and the dynamics of resonance ring galaxies. One galaxy Dr. Byrd found in his research, NGC 4622, appears to be unique in having a leading spiral arm in its stellar disk which apparently unwinds opposite the orbital motion of the disk stars.
keywords:N-body simulations of spiral structure & dynamics of interacting galaxies
