PH4610 Stellar Astrophysics ... (3-0-0) s (every 3rd year) ... 3 Cr
Next probable offering: Spring 2009.
Course Description:
Topics to be covered include an overview of observational astrophysics, stellar
atmospheres, stellar structure, atomic properties of matter, radiation and
energy transport in stellar interiors, and stellar evolution to and from the Main Sequence.
Prerequisite:
PH1600;
PH2400;
(MA3520 or MA3521 or MA3530 or MA3560)
Text (Spring, 2006):
- An Introduction to Modern Stellar Astrophysics, Dale Ostlie & Bradley Carrol
(ISBN 0-201-59880-9)
Previous Text:
- Astrophysics, Volume 1: Stars, Bowers & Deeming, (ISBN 0-8672-0018-9)
Typical Syllabus
Stellar Structure
- Overview, Timescales
- Virial Theorem
- Properties of Normal Matter
- Properties of Degenerate Matter
- Radiation and Energy Transport
- Hydrostatic Equilibrium
- Interior Stellar Models
- Atomic Properties and Opacity
- Stellar Atmospheres
Stellar Evolution
- Protostars
- Nuclear Energy Sources
- The Main Sequence
- Post-Main Sequence Evolution
- Adiabatic Stellar Pulsations
- Solar Neutrinos
- Novae
- Supernovae
- Neutron Stars and Black Holes
- Evolution of Close Binary Systems
- Creation and Detection of Planetary Systems
The Interstellar Medium
- Components of the Local Interstellar Medium
- Thermal States of Interstellar Matter
- Radio Emission and Absorption
- Creation, Emission, and Dynamics of Interstellar Dust
- Structure and Energy Balance of Gaseous Nebulae
- Supersonic Flows and Shocks
Course Rationale:
Students desiring a deeper physical
understanding of stars than can be provided in Introductory
Astronomy might choose to take this course as one of their
physics electives. The inherent interest of some potential
physics students in astrophysics might even encourage them
to major or minor in physics at Michigan Tech.