Intended for science majors and qualified non-science majors. Knowledge of high school physics and an understanding of mathematics at the Math 2 level required.
Explores current problems in astrophysical research and how they are being solved by practicing scientists. Each presentation-discussion focuses on a different problem or question, explaining how the problem relates to broader astronomical issues, describing the methods used to solve the problem and reviewing the hoped for, or anticipated outcome. Intended for students considering a career in the physical sciences.
Instructor
Graeme Smith, S Faber
Covers a variety of optical and visual phenomena, including the nature of light, optical effects in the atmosphere, the camera and photography, simple optical instruments, the human eye and vision, binocular vision, and color and color perception.
The structure and dynamics of the big bang and the expanding universe; spacetime structure, special relativity and the curved spacetime of general relativity; observations of quasars, galaxies, radio sources, and the microwave background.
Examines possible key science goals for the next decade, such as planet detection, galaxy formation, and dark energy cosmology; the means for addressing these goals, such as new space missions and/or ground-based facilities; and the political, technical, and scientific constraints on such research. Looks at the role of the Decadel Survey. Examines a few existing programs (DEEP, ALMA, SNAP, NGST) as examples.
The elementary quantum mechanics underlying atomic and molecular structure, with applications to astronomical spectroscopy.
Surveys dynamical processes in astrophysical systems on scales ranging from the planetary to the cosmological, stability and evolution of planetary orbits, scattering processes and the few-body problem, processes in stellar clusters, spiral structure and galactic dynamics, galactic collisions, and evolution of large-scale structure.
Theory and observations of star formation. Observational techniques used to study star formation, particularly millimeter line and continuum observations, and infrared, visible, and UV star-formation tracers. Physics of giant molecular clouds and galaxy-scale star formation. Gravitational instability, collapse, and fragmentation. Pre-main sequence stellar evolution. Protostellar accretion disks and jets. Radiative feedback and HII regions. (Formerly Star and Planet Formation)
The evolution of massive stars beyond helium burning; properties of white dwarf stars; physics and observations of novae, supernovae, and other high energy stellar phenomena; nuclear systematics and reaction rates; the origin and production of all the chemical elements.
Survey of interiors, atmospheres, thermal evolution, and magnetospheres of planets, with focus on the astronomical perspective. Course covers exoplanets and solar system planets, both giant and terrestrial, with attention to current and future observations.
Examines the observational data and theoretical concepts related to the interstellar medium (gas inside galaxies); intracluster medium (gas in between galaxies in clusters); and intergalactic medium (gas in between field galaxies). Emphases on the inferred physical conditions of this gas and its implications for cosmology and processes of galaxy formation.
Elements of cosmology including Newtonian cosmology, curved spaces, observational tests, microwave background, and the early universe. Cosmic rays, their origin, propagation, and radiation. Supernovae and the physics of pulsars.
Gives students a theoretical and practical grounding in the use of numerical methods and simulations for solving astrophysical problems. Topics include N-body, SPH and grid-based hydro methods as well as stellar evolution and radiation transport techniques.
Theories of spherical accretion, structure and stability of steady-state accretion disks, and the evolution of time-dependent accretion disks. Applications of these theories to the formation of the solar system as well as the structure and evolution of dwarf novae and X-ray sources are emphasized.
Galaxy formation and evolution from observations of intermediate-to-high redshift galaxies (z 0.5-5). Complements and builds on 240A. Cluster galaxies and field galaxies. Foundation from classic papers on distant galaxies. Recent discoveries from IR and sub-mm measurements. Impact of AGNs and QSOs. Overview of modeling approaches. Identify theoretical and observational issues.
Kinematics and relaxation of stellar systems. Potential and orbit theories. Dynamics of globular clusters, spiral and elliptical galaxies. Dynamical friction, mergers, and galactic cannibalism. Galaxy clustering in the early universe.
A study of stellar populations in our own and in external galaxies with particular reference to theories of galaxy formation and evolution. Variable star properties, element abundances, nucleosynthetic histories, and dynamical properties of various stellar populations.
Techniques and results of infrared observations. Physical nature of infrared sources.
Theory and practice of radio telescopes, radiometers, and data handling systems. Principles of aperture synthesis. Theory of continuum and line radio emission mechanisms, and application to actual astronomical observations. Galactic radio sources, quasars, and pulsars. Offered occasionally.
Instructor
Stephen Thorsett
Theory of star formation. Evolution of the sun. Physics of the solar nebula. Origin and evolution of the nebula. Formation of the giant planets and the terrestrial planets. Observational approaches to the discovery of other planetary systems.