How Galaxies Rotate: Clues to Their Past?How Galaxies Rotate: Clues to Their Past? An essay about basic research from ‘The Carnegie Institution of Washington Perspectives in Science Number 2 1986PREFACE Since the discovery early in this century that beyond our Galaxy lie countless other galaxies, many scientists of many institutions have devoted their careers to studying these dominant units of our Universe. Our story sketches a part of this still-continuing adventure: we will examine the effort to detect and understand the internal motions of galaxies, and to apply such understanding to larger questions. Students may find their acquaintance with the mechanics of Isaac Newton a useful starting point for this essay. Our account reaches beyond the scope of introductory physies textbooks, but the material should not be beyond the under- standing of careful readers. Previous knowledge in astronomy is not needed. It is to these readers—tomorrow’s explorers of the Universe— that this series is dedicated.