Astronomy 400A
Theoretical Astrophysics
Fall 2009
Course information
Astronomy 400A meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00-1:50 pm in Steward 204. The syllabus for the course is available here.


Announcements
The second midterm exam will be held in class on Monday, November 2. Students who are not available that day may take the exam on Friday, October 30.


Reading and Homework Assignments

The primary text for the source is
  • An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and Evolution by Prialnik.

    Toward the end of the semester, we will cover a number of topics beyond those covered in the primary text. These lectures will not follow a particular book, but references are given if more detail is desired about this material. These include:
  • The Physics of the Interstellar Medium by Dyson & Williams
  • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Carroll & Ostlie
  • Accretion Processes in Star Formation by Hartmann
  • The Formation of Stars by Stahler & Palla
  • Original research articles from scientific journals.

    Topic Due Date Reading Homework
    Observed Stellar Properties
    Thermal and Hydrostatic Equilibrium
    Virial Theorem    		 August 31 Chapters 1 and 2
    Pressure Sources September 4 Chapter 3 Homework #1
    Energy Transport September 14 Chapter 4
    Nuclear energy generation September 21 Homework #2
    Midterm Exam #1 September 25
    Simple analytic stellar models
    Simple stellar computer models    		 September 28 Chapter 5
    Stellar stability and Convection October 5 Chapter 6 Homework #3
    Stella Evolution - Overview October 12 Chapter 7
    Stellar Evolution - Details October 19 Chapter 8 Homework #4
    Stellar Evolution (continued)
    Core Collapse Supernovae    		 October 26 Chapter 9
    Midterm Exam #2 November 2
    TAC Meeting-- No Class November 4
    Novae, White Dwarf Supernovae
    Neutron Stars and Black Holes
    Accretion     		November 9 Chapter 9
    Veteran's Day -- No Class November 11
    Supernova Remnants
    Star Formation     		November 16 Chapter 10
    Dyson & Williams, Ch. 6-7
    Carroll & Ostlie, Ch. 12
    Protostars
    Protoplanetary Disks    		 November 23 Hartmann, Ch. 2-3
    Stahler & Palla, Ch. 9-11     		Homework #5
    Planet Formation November 30 TBD
    Stellar Pulsations
    Seismology    		 December 7 TBD
    Everything December 14 Final Exam



    Josh Eisner; October 22, 2009