PHY317 - STELLAR AND INTERSTELLAR ASTROPHYSICS

A  course for B.A. and B.S. physics and science majors interested in learning elements of astrophysics

Welcome Visitor number  since April 20, 2007

To be offered in Fall 2007 Semester
Notice: this course is offered every other year!

Last modified: August 28, 2007

The textbook is: Introduction to Modern Stellar Astrophysics, 2/E
Dale A. Ostlie and Bradley W. Carroll
Publisher: Addison-Wesley 2nd edition, (2006) Cloth; 800 pp
ISBN-10: 0805303480 ISBN-13: 9780805303483
(This is the latest edition; it is similar to the 1966 editon, but is revised and updated)

This course uses Blackboard Information Technology.

credits: NASA and Hubble's Heritage Team
The Syllabus

Timetable (tentative!!!)

Bibliography

Last lecture (not active)

Links to interesting astronomy and astrophysics sites

Click when blinking - Blinking when there is a special announcement

Sample of topics of presentations given by students in Fall 2005

 
 

 

Who should take this course

Take this course if you have always been curious about how stars are formed, how they generate their energy, how they evolve and ultimately end their existence - sometimes in a catastrophic way, and how future generation of stars use the material produced by previous generations.

The course is suitable for physics, science and engineering majors with an interest in the physics behind the phenomena we observe in space.

 

About the Course

Meeting period: Tuesdays-Thursdays 11:00 AM - 12:20 PM, Rm.104 Physics Building

Topics: 

  • Properties of matter and radiation 
  • Equilibrium stellar configurations
  • Equations of stellar evolution
  • Thermonuclear fusion in stars
  • Stability of stars
  • The evolution of stars
  • The interstellar medium
  • Pre-main and main sequence phases
  • Off main sequence
  • Special topics (supernovae; neutron stars, pulsars; black holes).

 

Pre-requisites

Calculus (MAT 286 or equivalent)

Knowledge of physics at an entry-level college physics course or at a level of a good advanced high-school physics course

Prior knowledge of elements of space science, astronomy, and modern physics is helpful but not required

 

Further announcements about this course will be posted on this Web site. Please feel free to contact the instructor during office hours (T-Th 10-11 am or by appointment), Prof. Gianfranco Vidali (3-9115, Rm221 Physics Bldg.).
His research interests are in the chemical and physical processes occurring in the Interstellar Medium.
Learn about his research by visiting the "Laboratory for surface physics and astrophysics" Web page.