Note:
the timetable is subject to change. Any changes will be posted on this site. Last update: November 15, 2007.
Exam II is moved to Nov. 27 (Tuesday). The final exam is on Friday, December 14, 8:00-10:00 am
A
note on bibliographic resources: numbers refer to chapters of the textbook (Ostlie and
Carroll's An Introduction to Modern Stellar Astrophysics, second edition) unless
otherwise indicated. Additional material may be given in class and/or through Blackboard Information Technology.
The column "Readings" lists the required readings from the textbook and other sources. Optional but useful readings are listed in italics.
|
Date |
Lecture |
Section |
Topic |
Readings |
|
8/28/07 |
1 |
Introduction |
Introduction to the course. A brief history of the Universe. Newton's laws |
2.1-2.2 Phillips: Ch. 1.1 |
|
8/30/07 |
2 |
The Tools of Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Mechanics and Light: Celestial mechanics: Kepler's laws; the virial theorem |
2.3 - 2.4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9/4/07 |
3 |
Electromagnetic radiation: light, photons, and spectra. Classification of stellar spectra |
3.1-3.4 Prialnik: Ch. 1 |
|
|
9/6/07 |
4 |
Elements of astronomy: blackbody radiation; the color index; the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram |
3.5 - 3.6
|
|
|
9/11/07 |
5 |
Elements of quantum mechanics: the Bohr's model; the deBroglie wavelength; particle in a box; quantization of energy |
5.3-5.4 8.1 |
|
|
9/13/07 |
6 |
Elements of statistical mechanics: the Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics; the chemical potential |
Phillips: Ch. 2.1 |
|
|
9/18/07 |
7 |
Statistical mechanics of the ideal gas: classical, quantum; non relativistic, ultra-relativistic |
Phillips: Ch. 2.2 |
|
|
9/20/07 |
8 |
Applications: exercises and problems |
|
|
|
9/25/07 |
9 |
The Interstellar Medium |
Spectroscopy; interstellar clouds; the Jeans mass |
6 - all; 12.1-12.2 |
|
9/27/07 |
10 | The Physics of Stars |
The Interior of Stars I: electrons in stars; classical gas; degenerate electron gas; relativistic and non-relativistic limits. Applications: Sun and white dwarfs |
Phillips: Ch. 2.2 |
|
10/2/07 |
11 |
The Interior of Stars II: |
8.1; Phillips: Ch. 2.2 | |
|
10/4/07 |
12 |
|
Applications: exercises and problems |
|
|
10/9/07 |
13 |
|
Exam on Class 1 - 10 material |
|
|
10/11/07 |
14 |
No class today ! |
|
|
|
10/16/07 |
15 |
The Physics of Stars |
The Interior of Stars III: pressure equation of state; stellar energy sources |
10.3-10.5; 9.2-9.3; Phillips: Ch. 4.1 |
|
10/18/07 |
16 |
The Interior of Stars IV: stellar energy sources and energy transport |
10 - all; Phillips: Ch. 4.2-4.4 |
|
|
10/23/07 |
17 |
Evolution of Stars | The Evolution of stars I: from protostars to main sequence |
12.3; Prialnik Ch.8: 8.3 -8.7 |
|
10/25/07 |
18 |
Applications: exercises and problems |
|
|
|
10/30/07 |
19 |
The Evolution of stars II: post main sequence stellar evolution |
13.1 - 13.2 |
|
|
11/1/07 |
20 |
The Evolution of stars III: massive stars; supernovae and gamma-ray bursts |
15 - all |
|
|
11/6/07 |
21 |
Unstable stars |
14.1 - 14.3; 14.5 |
|
| 11/8/07 |
22 |
End point of star evolution I: White dwarfs, neutron stars |
16 - all |
|
|
11/13/07 |
23 |
End point of star evolution II: supernovae, black holes |
16 - all |
|
|
11/15/07 |
24 |
Applications Exercises and problems |
|
|
|
11/20/07 |
25 |
Review |
||
|
11/27/07 |
26 |
|
Exam II |
|
|
11/29/07 |
27 |
Special topics |
Projects presentations | |
|
12/4/07 |
28 |
Projects presentations |
||
|
12/6/07 |
29 |
Projects presentations |