The main goal of the research presented in this thesis is to gain a better insight into the dynamical structure and evolution of galaxies, globular clusters and other stellar systems. In nearby... Show moreThe main goal of the research presented in this thesis is to gain a better insight into the dynamical structure and evolution of galaxies, globular clusters and other stellar systems. In nearby stellar systems, we look for the fossil record of their formation by constructing realistic models that fit their photometric and (two-dimensional) spectroscopic observations in detail. A large fraction of this thesis is devoted to the development and validation of triaxial dynamical Schwarzschild models, which we apply to several elliptical galaxies. Show less
