ASTR 404: Fall 2019

Course Schedule

Lecture material may vary, but due dates are fixed. Visit this page for updates.

The webpages for all class meetings will be stored here; each page includes the lecture notes for that class. You are encouraged to come here to review the topics covered, the images shown, and to follow the links to further information.

Date Topic Assignment Due
Mon Aug 26 Introduction
Wed Aug 28 Stellar Observables: Electrogmagnetic Radiation
Fri Aug 30 The Stars Observed
Mon Sep 2 No Class Meeting--Labor Day
Wed Sep 4 The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
Fri Sep 6 Binary Stars as Laboratories Problem Set 1
Mon Sep 9 Stellar Evolution Preview
Wed Sep 11 Stellar Structure: Hydrostatic Equilibrium
Fri Sep 13 Thermal Physics of Stars Problem Set 2
Mon Sep 16 Thermal Radiation
Wed Sep 18 Hydrostatic Equilibrium
Fri Sep 20 Ideal Gasses Problem Set 3
Mon Sep 23 The Virial Theorem
Wed Sep 25 Stellar Energy Generation: Sources
Fri Sep 27 Stellar Energy Generation: Nuclear Reactions Problem Set 4
Mon Sep 30 Stellar Energy Generation: Solar Neutrinos
Wed Oct 2 Hydrogen Burning in Stars
Fri Oct 4 No Class Meeting Problem Set 5
Mon Oct 7 Evolution Along the Main Sequence
Wed Oct 9 Energy Generation and Transport in Stars
Fri Oct 11 Radiative Energy Transport Problem Set 6
Mon Oct 14 No Class Meeting
Wed Oct 16 Main Sequence Evolution: Hydrogen Exhaustion
Fri Oct 18 Hour Exam
Mon Oct 21 Quantum Effects in Stellar Matter
Wed Oct 23 Degenerate Gasses
Fri Oct 25 Degenerate Stars: White Dwarfs Problem Set 7
Mon Oct 28 The Chandrasekhar Limit
Wed Oct 30 Star Formation
Fri Nov 1 Intermediate Mass Stars: Beyond the Main Sequence Problem Set 8
Mon Nov 4 White Dwarfs and Planetary Nebulae
Wed Nov 6 Supernova Neutrinos and Nucleosynthesis
Fri Nov 8 Massive Stars: Late Evolution and Collapse Problem Set 9
Mon Nov 11 Supernovae Observed
Wed Nov 13 General Relativity for the Impatient
Fri Nov 15 Supernovae: Aftereffects Problem Set 10
Mon Nov 18 Neutron Stars and Pulsars
Wed Nov 20 General Relativity
Fri Nov 22 No Class Meeting Problem Set 11
Mar 25 - 29 No Class Meeting--Thanksgiving Break
Mon Dec 2 Black Holes: Theory
Wed Dec 4 Black Holes: Evidence
Fri Dec 6 Black Holes: Imaging M87* Problem Set 12
Mon Dec 9 Binaries: Thermonuclear Supernovae
Wed Dec 11 Binaries: Gamma-Ray Bursts, Gravitational Wave Sources. Finale.
Fri Dec 13 Final Exam 7:00--10:00 pm