University of Vermont Fall 2007 Term

Physics Department Astro/Physics 257 “Astrophysics”

Professor Joanna Rankin Office hours: W 2-3;Th 4-5 pm or by appointment

Preliminary Course Syllabus

– – –                                Course Introduction, Physical Background
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapts. 1-5
Optional Chapt. 1-5 probs due by Sept. end

Aug. 28, 30 Fundamental Observations of Stars
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapts. 7 and 8
Chapts. 7, 8 probs due: Thurs., Sept. 6

Sept. 4, 6      Stellar Atmospheres
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 9Ñalso Chapt. 6
Chapt. 6, 9 probs due: Thurs., Sept. 13

Sept. 11, 13     Stellar Interiors
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 10
Probs due: Thurs., Sept. 20

Sept. 18, 20     The Sun
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 11
Probs due: Thurs., Sept. 27

Sept. 25, 27     Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 12
Probs due: Thurs., Oct. 4

Oct. 2, 4     Stellar Evolution
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapts. 13 (14)
Probs due: Thurs., Oct. 11

Oct. 9, 11     Stellar Gerontology
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 15
Probs due: Thurs., Oct. 18

Oct. 16, 18     Black Holes
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 16
Probs due: Thurs., Oct. 25

Oct. 23, 25     Accretion and Close Binary Star Systems
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 17
Probs due: Thurs., Nov. 1

Oct. 30, Nov. 1     The Milky-Way Galaxy
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapts. 22, 23
Probs due: Thurs., Nov. 8

Nov. 6, 8,     Galaxies and Galactic Evolution
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapts. 24, 25 (§§1,2)
Probs due: Thurs., Nov. 15

Nov. 13, 15     Active Galaxies and Quasars/Observational Cosmology
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 25 (§§3,4), 26
Probs due: Tues., Nov. 29

- - - - - - - - - - - - THANKGIVING VACATION - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nov. 27, 29     Mathematical Cosmology
Read: Carrol & Ostlie, Chapt. 27
Probs due: Tues., Dec. 6

Dec. 4, 6     The Early Universe
Read: Carrol and Ostlie, Chapt. 28
Probs due: Thurs., Dec. 7

Dec. 10, 8:00 pm FINAL EXAM