PH4620 Galactic Astrophysics ... (3-0-0) s (every 3rd year) ... 3 Cr

Course Description:
Topics to be covered include the composition and dynamics of our Galaxy, dynamics of stellar encounters, spiral density wave theory, clusters of galaxies, theoretical cosmology, physics of the early universe, and observational cosmology.

Prerequisites: PH1600; PH2400; (MA3520 or MA3521 or MA3530 or MA3560)

Text (Spring 2005):

• An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, Andrew Liddle (ISBN 0470848359)
  and
• Galaxies in the Universe, Linda Sparke & John Gallagher, (ISBN 0521597404)

• Astrophysics. Vol. 2: Interstellar Matter and Galaxies, Bowers & Deeming, (ISBN 0-8672-0047-2)
• The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy, Frank H. Shu (ISBN 0-935702-05-9)

• Introduction to Cosmology, Narlikar, (ISBN 0521412501)

Typical Syllabus

Galaxies
• The Milky Way
• The Stellar Content of Galaxies
• The Interstellar Medium
• Galactic Morphology
• Surface Brightness of Galaxies
• Galactic Masses

Dynamics of Stellar Systems
• Relaxation and Stellar Encounters
• Globular Clusters
• Spiral Density Wave Theory
• Streaming Motions and the Winding Dilemma
• Dynamics of Colliding Galaxies
• Clusters of Galaxies

The Theoretical Universe
• Redshift and Expansion
• Newtonian Cosmology
• Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Cosmologies
• Cosmological Distances
• The Primeval Fireball
• The Cosmic Microwave Background
• Lambda and the Geometry of the Universe
• The Composition of the Universe
• Big Crunch or Big Chill

The Observational Universe
• Correlation Functions and Power Spectra
• Evidence for Dark Matter
• Determinations of Hubble's Constant
• Supernovae, Quasars, and Gamma-Ray Bursts
• Nucleosynthesis and Imposed Constraints
• Gravitational Lensing and Imposed Constraints
• Future Space Missions and Cosmological Parameters

Course Rationale:
Students desiring a deeper physical understanding of our Galaxy and the universe 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.