AST 461 The Physics of Astrophysics I

Semester: Fall
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisite: PHY 407, PHY 408, PHY 415, PHY 418, in the past or concurrently

This new year-long course sequence is designed to provide prospective astronomy and astrophysics students with physical tools they need in addition to those taught in the usual physics sequence. Many examples of the use of these tools in astrophysical contexts will be provided. The course is designed to be taken starting the fall of the second year of graduate study, and is intended to be intensive.

syllabus

A. Radiative transfer

1. The radiation field and the radiative transfer equation
2. Moment equation and the conduction approximation
3. Solution of the radiative transfer equation
4. Sources of opacity
5. Plane-parallel atmospheres
6. Simple stellar atmospheres
7. Observations of stellar atmospheres
8. Infrared radiation from dust surrounding a point source

B. Astrophysical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

1. Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
2. Reaction equilibria
3. Detailed balance in thermal equilibrium
4. Fluid description
5. Ionization balance of H II regions
6. Thermal balance of H II regions

C. Classical theory of radiation processes

1. Review of classical electrodynamics
2. Spectral decomposition and Stokes parameters
3. Multipole radiation and thermal bremsstrahlung
4. Radiation from relativistic ions
5. Emitted power and received spectrum
6. Synchrotron radiation: simple version

D. Quantum theory of radiation processes

1. Nonrelativistic quantum theory of radiative processes
2. Semiclassical treatment of radiative transitions
3. Radiative absorption cross sections
4. Selection rules and forbidden transitions
5. Single-electron atoms
6. Multi-electron atoms
7. Diatomic molecules
8. The nature of the chemical bond
9. Spectroscopy of diatomic molecules
10. Atomic and molecular collisions

E. Single-fluid media

1. Overview
2. Relation of kinetic theory to fluid mechanics
3. Transport coefficients for diffusive effects
4. Fluids as continua
5. Equilibria of self-gravitating spherical masses
6. Stellar interiors
7. Inviscid barotropic flow
8. Viscous accretion disks
9. Fluid instabilities
10. Mixing-length theory of convection

F. Waves, shocks and fronts

1. Steady supersonic flow
2. Oblique shocks and optically thin radiative layers
3. Blast waves and supernova remnants
4. Gravitational collapse and star formation
5. Radiative shocks under optically thick conditions
6. Ionization fronts and expanding H II regions

Go to Astronomy Course Listing