Astrophysical Processes (ASTR 4010/5010):
The beauty of astronomical images can be immediately appreciated. A harder won, but equally as beautiful understanding of celestial objects comes from application of math and physics to reveal how they work in detail. This course involves learning the physics required to understand a broad array of objects in the universe.
Almost all normal matter in the universe is a fluid, and the first major theme of the course is learning and applying the equations of motion for a fluid. Radiation is important for the structure and cooling of objects, as well as the primary means by which we gain information about the universe. Hence the second major theme of this course is concerned with the production of radiation and how it interacts with matter. In addition to these two topics, which will be new for most students, we will also carry out applications of undergraduate-level physics to objects in nature.
Compact Objects (ASTR 4460/5460):
Dramatic changes occur when stars exhaust their nuclear fuel supply, leading to the “stellar graveyard” of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The conditions in and around these compact objects are extreme as compared to terrestrial standards, and they are responsible for some of the most powerful and dynamic phenomena in the universe. The purpose of this course is an introduction to the physics of strong gravity and dense matter required to understand compact stars and their observational manifestations.
Alien Worlds (ASTR 1250):
Alien worlds orbiting other stars were the subject of speculation going back to ancient times, and were finally discovered in the 1990’s. Thousands of extrasolar planets, and hundreds of multiple-planet systems, are now known and show a remarkable variety compared to our own solar system. This course discusses the known exoplanets: how they are discov- ered, their orbits and physical properties. The theoretical understanding of planet formation and evolution will be used to understand the known planets, how they likely formed and their ultimate fate.