| Winter 2006 | Instructor: Chris Stevenson |
|
Lectures
|
Introduction
This is the webpage for P3151, "Introduction to Astrophysics II". It is assumed that
those taking this course will have previously taken P3150, "Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics",
and will have covered such topics as magnitude-scales, spectral line formation in the
atmospheres of stars, colour-magnitude (Herzsprung-Russell) diagrams and stellar evolution,
polytropes and main sequence properties, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes and acretion disks,
binary stars and mass transfer, etc. In this course we apply much of this towards an understanding
of Galactic Astronomy and relevant astrophysical discussion, starting with an overview of the
history of Galactic Astronomy, touching on pulsating stars as the first of many extensions of
trigonometric parallax for determining distance scales, Galaxy classification (Hubble "tuning-fork"
diagram), structure and properties of spirals and ellipticals, their dynamics (21cm rotational curves,
stellar velocity dispersions, the basis of spiral structure and formation of bars),
and presense of central supermassive black holes, etc. Galaxy formation (Jeans
instabilities) will be discussed, then galaxies in groups and the evolution of galaxies in these
contexts. Moving outward, interacting galaxies, galaxy groups and larger
galaxy clusters. This leads into discussion of the large-scale structure of the Cosmos, where
galaxies are but the smallest discrete building blocks. Newtonian (and perhaps relativistic) cosmologies,
the cosmic microwave background, the fact that Einstein's "biggest mistake" was not (universe expansion is
no known to be accelerating) are towards the end of the course.
Along the way, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursters,
gravitational lensing, and other contemporary topics in large-scale astrophysics will be touched on.
Texts
-Binney & Merrifield, "Galactic Astronomy" (Princton Press 1998)
Evaluation
|