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Abstract/Syllabus:
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Schechter, Peter, 8.284 Modern Astrophysics, Spring 2006. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 09 Jul, 2010). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA
Modern Astrophysics
Spring 2006
A Hubble Space Telescope image of galaxy NGC-5866, seen edge-on. (Image courtesy of William C. Keel, University of Alabama, as presented on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day Web site.)
Course Description
This course explores the applications of physics (Newtonian, statistical, and quantum mechanics) to fundamental processes that occur in celestial objects. The list of topics includes Main-sequence Stars, Collapsed Stars (White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes), Pulsars, Supernovae, the Interstellar Medium, Galaxies, and as time permits, Active Galaxies, Quasars, and Cosmology. Observational data is also discussed.
Syllabus
Course Description
This course explores the applications of physics (Newtonian, statistical, and quantum mechanics) to fundamental processes that occur in celestial objects. The list of topics includes Main-sequence Stars, Collapsed Stars (White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes), Pulsars, Supernovae, the Interstellar Medium, Galaxies, and as time permits, Active Galaxies, Quasars, and Cosmology. Observational data is also discussed.
Prerequisites
Students must have previously completed Quantum Physics I (8.04) and Quantum Physics II (8.05) with a grade of C or higher. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required.
Textbooks
There is no single text for this course. All of the assigned readings come from the following texts:
Bohm-Vitense, Erika. Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics. 3 vols. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1989. ISBN: 9780521344029.
Binney, James, and Scott Tremaine. Galactic Dynamics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1987. ISBN: 9780691084442.
Clayton, Donald D. Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1983. ISBN: 9780226109534.
Hansen, Carl J., and Steven D. Kawaler. Stellar Interiors: Physical Principles, Structure, and Evolution. New York, NY: Springer, 2004. ISBN: 9780387200897.
Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. Galactic Astronomy. San Francisco, CA: W.H. Freeman, 1981, chapter 2. ISBN: 9780716712800.
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics
Shu, Frank H. The Physical Universe. Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books, 1982. ISBN: 9780935702057.
Schechter, Paul. 8.902 Notes on Cosmology
Although these are not part of the required readings, students may also find the following books useful:
Binney, James, and Michael Merrifield. Galactic Astronomy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780691004020.
Gray, David F. The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780521851862.
Harwit, Martin. Astrophysical Concepts. New York, NY: Springer, 1998. ISBN: 9780387949437.
Longair, Malcolm S. Galaxy Formation. New York, NY: Springer, 1998. ISBN: 9783540637851.
Osterbrock, Donald E. The Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books, 2006. ISBN: 9781891389344.
Ostlie, Dale A., and Bradley W. Carroll. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing, 1996. ISBN: 9780201547306.
Peebles, P. J. E. Physical Cosmology. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1971. ISBN: 9780691081083.
———. Principles of Physical Cosmology. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1993. ISBN: 9780691074283.
Schwarzschild, Martin. Structure and Evolution of the Stars. New York, NY: Dover Publications, 1977. ISBN: 9780486614793.
———. The Physics of Astrophysics. 2 vols. Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books, 1991. ISBN: 9780935702644.
Silk, Joseph. The Big Bang. New York, NY: W.H. Freeman, 2001. ISBN: 9780716742463.
Spitzer, Lyman. Physical Processes in the Interstellar Medium. New York, NY: Wiley, 1978. ISBN: 9780471022329.
Unsold, Albrecht. The New Cosmos. New York, NY: Springer, 2001. ISBN: 9783540678779.
Weinberg, Steven. The First Three Minutes. New York, NY: Basic Books, 1993. ISBN: 9780465024377.
———. Gravitation and Cosmology. New York, NY: Wiley, 1972. ISBN: 9780471925675.
Problem Sets
There are 11 problem sets. Approximately one set is due per week. Solutions will be provided four days after the due date.
Exams
There will be one in-class midterm exam. There will also be a comprehensive final exam, scheduled by the Registrar and held during the final exam period.
Grading Policy
Grading criteria.
| ACTIVITIES |
PERCENTAGES |
| Midterm exam |
20% |
| Problem sets |
40% |
| Final exam |
40% |
Calendar
Course calendar.
| SES # |
TOPICS |
KEY DATES |
| 1 |
Introduction
Equatorial coordinates and sidereal time
|
|
| 2 |
Galactic coordinates
Distances to stars
|
|
| 3 |
Magnitudes (apparent and absolute) and color indices |
Problem set 1 due |
| 4 |
Spectral classification
The Kepler problem
|
|
| 5 |
Parametric solution to Kepler |
|
| 6 |
Masses of stars
Mass radius relation
|
|
| 7 |
Mass measurements for exoplanets and our black hole |
Problem set 2 due |
| 8 |
Telescopes |
|
| 9 |
Polytropic stars |
|
| 10 |
Classical and quantum statistics
The Saha equation
|
|
| 11 |
Equations of state
Application of Lane-Emden solution: White dwarfs
|
Problem set 3 due |
| 12 |
Simple results for the sun and other stars |
|
| 13 |
Radiative transport |
|
| 14 |
Opacities
Scaling laws
Convection
|
Problem set 4 due |
| 15 |
Energy generation
Coulomb penetration factor
|
|
| 16 |
Nuclear "burning" in the sun and other stars |
|
| 17 |
Evolution of stars of low, intermediate and high mass |
Problem set 5 due |
| 18 |
Stellar atmospheres |
|
| 19 |
Lines in stellar atmospheres |
|
| 20 |
In-class exam |
Problem set 6 due |
| 21 |
Introduction to the interstellar medium |
|
| 22 |
Photoionized nebulae (H II regions and planetaries) |
|
| 23 |
Supernovae and shocks |
|
| 24 |
Adiabatic supernova shocks |
Problem set 7 due |
| 25 |
Galaxy morphology |
|
| 26 |
Quantifiable properties of galaxies
Collisional relaxation times
|
|
| 27 |
Collisionless Boltzmann equation (cartesian) and its moments |
Problem set 8 due |
| 28 |
Boltzmann and the 4 jeans equations (spherical) |
|
| 29 |
Galaxy disks: Rotation and epicyclic motion |
|
| 30 |
Galaxy models: Potentials, orbits, and distribution functions |
Problem set 9 due |
| 31 |
Clusters of galaxies |
|
| 32 |
Evidence for the expansion and homegeneity of the universe
Newtonian derivation of Friedmann universe
|
|
| 33 |
Galaxy formation |
Problem set 10 due |
| 34 |
Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric |
|
| 35 |
Friedman equation with radiation and other stuff |
|
| 36 |
Supernovae and cosmic acceleration |
Problem set 11 due |
| 37 |
Recombination and helium production |
|
| 38 |
Fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background |
|
| |
Final exam |
|
|
|
|
|
Further Reading:
|
Readings
Required Readings
Bohm-Vitense, Erika. Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics. 3 vols. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1989. ISBN: 9780521344029.
Binney, James, and Scott Tremaine. Galactic Dynamics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1987. ISBN: 9780691084442.
Clayton, Donald D. Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1983. ISBN: 9780226109534.
Hansen, Carl J., and Steven D. Kawaler. Stellar Interiors: Physical Principles, Structure, and Evolution. New York, NY: Springer, 2004. ISBN: 9780387200897.
Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. Galactic Astronomy. San Francisco, CA: W.H. Freeman, 1981, chapter 2. ISBN: 9780716712800.
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics
Shu, Frank H. The Physical Universe. Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books, 1982. ISBN: 9780935702057.
Schechter, Paul. 8.902 Notes on Cosmology
Readings by Session
Course readings.
| SES # |
TOPICS |
READINGS |
| 1 |
Introduction
Equatorial coordinates and sidereal time
|
Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. Galactic Astronomy. San Francisco, CA: W.H. Freeman, 1981, chapter 2. ISBN: 9780716712800. |
| 2 |
Galactic coordinates
Distances to stars
|
Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. Galactic Astronomy. San Francisco, CA: W.H. Freeman, 1981, chapter 2. ISBN: 9780716712800. |
| 3 |
Magnitudes (apparent and absolute) and color indices |
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapters 2, 3.5, 4.1, and 4.2 through 4.2.5. |
| 4 |
Spectral classification
The Kepler problem
|
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapters 2, 3.5, 4.1, and 4.2 through 4.2.5. |
| 5 |
Parametric solution to Kepler |
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapters 2, 3.5, 4.1, and 4.2 through 4.2.5. |
| 6 |
Masses of stars
Mass radius relation
|
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapters 2, 3.5, 4.1, and 4.2 through 4.2.5. |
| 7 |
Guest lecture: Mass measurements for exoplanets and our black hole |
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapters 2, 3.5, 4.1, and 4.2 through 4.2.5. |
| 8 |
Guest lecture: Telescopes |
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapters 2, 3.5, 4.1 and 4.2 through 4.2.5. |
| 9 |
Polytropic stars |
Clayton. Sections 2-4. |
| 10 |
Classical and quantum statistics
The Saha equation
|
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 7.1-7.2.2. |
| 11 |
Equations of state
Application of Lane-Emden solution: White dwarfs
|
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 7.1-7.2.2.
Clayton. Sections 2-4.
|
| 12 |
Simple results for the sun and other stars |
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 7.1-7.2.2.
Clayton. Sections 2-4.
|
| 13 |
Radiative transport |
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2. |
| 14 |
Opacities
Scaling laws
Convection
|
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2. |
| 15 |
Energy generation
Coulomb penetration factor
|
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2. |
| 16 |
Nuclear "burning" in the sun and other stars |
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2. |
| 17 |
Evolution of stars of low, intermediate and high mass |
Clayton. Section 4.3 through equation (4-62).
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 6.3-6.5.
|
| 18 |
Stellar atmospheres |
Clayton. Section 4.3 through equation (4-62).
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 6.3-6.5.
|
| 19 |
Lines in stellar atmospheres |
Clayton. Section 4.3 through equation (4-62).
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 6.3-6.5.
|
| 20 |
In-class exam |
|
| 21 |
Introduction to the interstellar medium |
Clayton. Section 4.3 through equation (4-62).
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 6.3-6.5.
Bohm-Vitense. Vol. 2. Chapters 5, 6, and 10.
|
| 22 |
Photoionized nebulae (H II regions and planetaries) |
Clayton. Section 4.3 through equation (4-62).
Hansen, and Kawaler. Section 6.3-6.5.
Bohm-Vitense. Vol. 2. Chapters 5, 6, and 10.
|
| 23 |
Supernovae and shocks |
Clayton. Section 4.3 through equation (4-62).
Hansen, and Kawaler. Sections 6.3-6.5.
Bohm-Vitense. Vol. 2. Chapters 5, 6, and 10.
|
| 24 |
Adiabatic supernova shocks |
Shu. The Physics of Astrophysics, Volume II: Gas Dynamics. Chapter 15 (pp. 214-217) and 17. |
| 25 |
Galaxy morphology |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 1 and section 3.1. |
| 26 |
Quantifiable properties of galaxies
Collisional relaxation times
|
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 1 and section 3.1. |
| 27 |
Collisionless Boltzmann equation (cartesian) and its moments |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 4 through equation (4-45). |
| 28 |
Boltzmann and the 4 jeans equations (spherical) |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 4 through equation (4-45). |
| 29 |
Galaxy disks: Rotation and epicyclic motion |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 4 through equation (4-45). |
| 30 |
Galaxy models: Potentials, orbits, and distribution functions |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 4 through equation (4-45). |
| 31 |
Clusters of galaxies |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 4 through equation (4-45). |
| 32 |
Evidence for the expansion and homegeneity of the universe
Newtonian derivation of Friedmann universe
|
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
|
| 33 |
Galaxy formation |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
|
| 34 |
Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
|
| 35 |
Friedman equation with radiation and other stuff |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
|
| 36 |
Supernovae and cosmic acceleration |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
|
| 37 |
Recombination and helium production |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
|
| 38 |
Fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background |
Binney, and Tremaine. Chapter 10.
8.902 Notes on Cosmology. Sections 3.1-3.3.
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Final exam |
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