As Taught In:
2016/2017
Revise In:
2021/2022
Level:
Undergraduate
Learning Resource Type:
=> Problem Sets
Course Description:
This course explores the applications of physics from Newtonian, Statistical, and Quantum Mechanics to fundamental processes that occur in celestial objects. The list of topics includes Main-sequence Stars, Collapsed Stars (White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes), Pulsars, Supernova, the Interstellar Medium, Galaxies, and Active Galaxies, Quasars with continue to Cosmology course. Without forgetting an observational data to get discussed during the course.
Pre-requisites:
NO prior knowledge of Astronomy is required. However, Learners must have completed Quantum Physics II with an appropriate understanding.
Textbooks:
There is no requirements and no single text for this course. However, several suggested readings will come from the following texts:
Bohm-Vitense, Erika. 1989. Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics 3 vols. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0521-344029
Binney, James, and Scott Tremaine. 1987. Galactic Dynamics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 978-0691-084442
Clayton, Donald D. 1983. Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1983. ISBN: 978-0226-109534
Hansen, Carl J., and Steven D. Kawaler. 2004. Stellar Interiors: Physical Principles, Structure, and Evolution. New York, NY: Springer. ISBN: 978-0387-200897
Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. 1981. Galactic Astronomy. San Francisco, CA: W.H.Freeman, chapter 2. ISBN: 978-0716-712800
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics.
Shu, Frank H. 1982. The Physical Universe. Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books. ISBN: 978-0935-702057
Schechter, Paul. Notes on Cosmology. (login to access it)
Problem Sets:
There are 11 challenges. Aprpoximately one set is due per units. Solutions will be provided a week after the due date.
Required Readings:
Bohm-Vitense, Erika. 1989. Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics 3 vols. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0521-344029
Binney, James, and Scott Tremaine. 1987. Galactic Dynamics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 978-0691-084442
Clayton, Donald D. 1983. Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1983. ISBN: 978-0226-109534
Hansen, Carl J., and Steven D. Kawaler. 2004. Stellar Interiors: Physical Principles, Structure, and Evolution. New York, NY: Springer. ISBN: 978-0387-200897
Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. 1981. Galactic Astronomy. San Francisco, CA: W.H.Freeman, chapter 2. ISBN: 978-0716-712800
Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics.
Shu, Frank H. 1982. The Physical Universe. Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books. ISBN: 978-0935-702057
Schechter, Paul. Notes on Cosmology. (login to access it)
Topics by Session:
01 > Introduction & Equatorial Coordinates and Sidereal Time >> Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. 1981. Galactic Astronomy – chapter 02.
02 > Galactic Coordinates & Distances to Stars >> Mihalas, Dimitri, and James Binney. 1981. Galactic Astronomy – chapter 02.
03 > Magnitudes (apparent and absolute) and Color indices >> Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. – chapter 02, 3.5, 4.1 through 4.2.5
— PS 01
04 > Spectral Classification & The Kepler problem >> Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. Chapter 02, 3.5, 4.1 through 4.2.5
05 > Parametric solution to Kepler >> Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. – Chapter 02, 3.5, 4.1 through 4.2.5
06 > Masses of Stars & Mass Radius Relation >> Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics – Chapter 02, 3.5, 4.1 through 4.2.5
07> Guest Lecture: Mass Measurements for Exoplanets and our Black Hole >> Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. – Chapter 02, 3.5, 4.1 through 4.2.5
— PS 02
08> Guest Lecture: Telescopes >> Press, William H. Introduction to Astrophysics. – Chapter 02, 3.5, 4.1 through 4.2.5
09> Polytropic Stars >> Clayton – chapter 2.4
10> Classical and Quantum Statistics & The SAHA Equation >> Hansen, and Kawaler. – chapter 7.1-7.2.2
11> Application of Lane-Emden solution: White dwarfs >> Hansen, and Kawaler. – chapter 7.1 – 7.2.2 & Clayton – chapter 2.4
— PS 03
12> Simple results for the Sun and other Stars >> Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 7.1-7.2.2 & Clayton – chapter 2.4
13> Radiative Transport >> Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2
14> Opacities, Scaling Laws, & Convection >> Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2
— PS 04
15> Energy Generation & Coulomb Penetration Factor >> Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2
16> Nuclear “burning” in the Sun and other Stars >> Hansen, and Kawaler. – chapter 3.1-3.5 and 7.1-7.2
17> Evolution of Stars of low, Intermediate, and High Mass >> Clayton – chapter 4.3 through equation 4-62 & Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 6.3-6.5
— PS 05
18> Stellar Atmospheres >> Clayton – chapter 4.3 through equation 4-62 & Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 6.3-6.5
19> Lines in Stellar Atmosphere >> Clayton – chapter 4.3 through equation 4-62 & Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 6.3-6.5
20> Introduction to the Interstellar medium >> Clayton – chapter 4.3 through equation 4-62, Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 6.3-6.5 & Bohm-Vitense vol. 2 – chapter 5, 6, and 10
— PS 06
21> Photoionized Nebulae (H II regions and planetaries) >> Clayton – chapter 4.3 through equation 4-62, Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 6.3-6.5 & Bohm-Vitense vol. 2 – chapter 5, 6, and 10
22> Supernova and shocks >> Clayton – chapter 4.3 through equation 4-62, Hansen, and Kawaler – chapter 6.3-6.5 & Bohm-Vitense vol. 2 – chapter 5, 6, and 10
23> Adiabatic Supernova Shocks >> Shu. The Physics of Astrophysics, volume II: Gas Dynamics. – chapter 15 (pp. 214-217) and 17
— PS 07
24> Galaxy Morphology >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 01 and 3.1
25> Quantifiable properties of Galaxies & Collisional relaxation times >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 01 and 3.1
26> Collisionless Boltzmann equation (cartesian) and its moments >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 04 through equation 4-45
— PS 08
27> Boltzmann and the 4 jeans equations (spherical) >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 04 through equation 4-45.
28> Galaxy discs: Rotation and Epicyclic Motion >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 04 through equation 4-45.
29> Galaxy models: Potentials, orbits, and distribution functions >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 04 through equation 4-45.
— PS 09
30> Clusters of galaxies >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 04 through equation 4-45.
31> Evidence for the expansion and homegeneity of the universe & Newtonian derivation of Friedmann universe >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
32> Galaxy formation >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
— PS 10
33> Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
34> Friedman Equation with radiation and others >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
35> Supernova and Cosmic Acceleration >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
— PS 11
36> Recombination and Helium Production >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
37> Fluctuations in the Cosmic Microwave Background >> Binney, and Tremaine – chapter 10 & Notes on Cosmology – chapter 3.1-3.3
Although these are not part of the readings, learners may also find the following books useful:
Binney, James, and Michael Merrifield. 1998. Galactic Astronomy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 978-0691-004020
Gray, David F. 2005. The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0521-851862
Harwit, Martin. 1998. Astrophysical Concepts. New York, NY: Springer. ISBN: 978-0387-949437
Longair, Malcolm S. 1998. Galaxy Formation. New York, NY: Springer. ISBN: 978-3540-637851
Osterbrock, Donald E. 2006. The Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books. ISBN: 978-1891-389344
Ostlie, Dale A., and Bradley W. Carroll. 1996. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics. Reading MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing. ISBN: 978-0201-547306
Peebles, P. J. E. 1971. Physical Cosmology. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 978-0691-081083
—.1993. Principles of Physical Cosmology. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 978-0691-074283
Schwarzschild, Martin. 1977. Structure and Evolution of the Stars. New York, NY: Dover Publications. ISBN: 978-0486-614793
—.1991. The Physics of Astrophysics 2 vols. Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books. ISBN: 978-0935-702644
Silk, Joseph. 2001. The Big Bang. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman. ISBN: 978-0716-742463
Spitzer, Lyman. 1978. Physical Processes in the Interstellar Medium. New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN: 978-0471-022329
Unsold, Albrecht. 2001. The New Cosmos. New York, NY: Springer. ISBN: 978-3540-678779
Weinberg, Steven. 1993. The First Three Minutes. New York, NY: Basic Books. ISBN: 978-0465-024377
—. 1972. Gravitation and Cosmology. New York, NY: Wiley. ISBN: 978-0471-925675