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 |
Reading |
Assignment Due |
| Mon |
Aug 23 |
Introduction |
|
|
| Wed |
Aug 25 |
Stellar Observables: Electrogmagnetic Radiation |
Prialnik Ch 1.1 |
|
| Fri |
Aug 27 |
The Stars Observed I |
1.2 |
|
| Mon |
Aug 30 |
The Stars Observed II |
1.4 |
|
| Wed |
Sep 1 |
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram |
11.1 |
|
| Fri |
Sep 3 |
Binary Stars as Laboratories I |
1.3 |
Problem Set 1 |
| Mon |
Sept 6 |
No Class Meeting--Labor Day |
|
|
| Wed |
Sep 8 |
Binary Stars as Laboratories II |
1.4 |
|
| Fri |
Sep 10 |
Stellar Evolution Preview |
2.1 |
Problem Set 2 |
| Mon |
Sep 13 |
Stellar Structure Overview and Gravitation |
2.1, 2.2, 2.3 |
|
| Wed |
Sep 15 |
Hydrostatic Equilibrium |
2.3, 2.4, 2.5 |
|
| Fri |
Sep 17 |
Ideal Gasses |
3.1, 3.2 |
Problem Set 3 |
| Mon |
Sep 20 |
The Virial Theorem |
2.4, 2.5 |
|
| Wed |
Sep 22 |
Stellar Energy Generation: Sources |
2.8 |
|
| Fri |
Sep 24 |
Stellar Energy Generation: Nuclear Reactions |
4.1, 4.2, 4.3 |
Problem Set 4 |
| Mon |
Sep 27 |
Stellar Energy Generation: Solar Neutrinos |
4.1,4.2,4.3,9.3 |
|
| Wed |
Sept 29 |
Hydrogen Burning in Stars |
4.1,4.2,4,3 |
|
| Fri |
Oct 1 |
Evolution Along the Main Sequence |
9.2 |
Problem Set 5 |
| Mon |
Oct 4 |
Energy Generation and Transport in Stars |
2.1,2.6,4.2 |
|
| Wed |
Oct 6 |
Radiative Energy Transport |
3.7 |
|
| Fri |
Oct 8 |
Main Sequence Evolution: Hydrogen Exhaustion |
9.4 |
Problem Set 6 |
| Mon |
Oct 11 |
Main Sequence Evolution: Hydrogen Exhaustion |
9.2 |
|
| Mon |
Oct 13 |
Quantum Effects in Stellar Matter |
3.3 |
|
| Fri |
Oct 15 |
Hour Exam |
| Mon |
Oct 18 |
Degenerate Gasses |
3.3, 7.1 |
|
| Wed |
Oct 20 |
Degenerate Stars: White Dwarfs |
7.1,9.8 |
|
| Fri |
Oct 22 |
The Chandrasekhar Limit |
9.8 |
Problem Set 7 |
| Mon |
Oct 25 |
Star Formation |
9.1 |
|
| Wed |
Oct 27 |
Low Mass Stars: Beyond the Main Sequence |
9.4, 9.5 |
|
| Fri |
Oct 29 |
Low Mass Stars: Final Phases |
9.6 |
Problem Set 8 |
| Mon |
Nov 1 |
Planetary Nebulae,White Dwarfs, and Intermediate Mass Stars |
7.5, 9.8 |
|
| Wed |
Nov 3 |
No class |
|
|
| Fri |
Nov 5 |
Massive Stars: Late Evolution and Collapse |
7.5, 9.9 |
Problem Set 9 |
| Mon |
Nov 8 |
Supernovae Observed |
|
|
| Wed |
Nov 10 |
Supernovae: Aftereffects |
|
|
| Fri |
Nov 12 |
Neutron Stars and Pulsars |
|
Problem Set 10 |
| Mon |
Nov 15 |
General Relativity |
|
|
| Wed |
Nov 17 |
Black Holes: Theory |
|
|
| Fri |
Nov 19 |
Black Holes: Evidence |
|
Problem Set 11 |
| Nov 22 - 26 |
No Class Meeting--Thanksgiving Break
| |
|
| Mon |
Nov 29 |
Black Holes: Imaging M87* |
|
|
| Wed |
Dec 1 |
Binaries: Thermonuclear Supernovae |
|
|
| Fri |
Dec 3 |
Binaries: Gamma-Ray Bursts, Gravitational Wave Sources. |
|
Problem Set 12 |
| Mon |
Dec 6 |
The First Stars |
|
|
| Wed |
Dec 8 |
Finale |
|
|
| Mon |
Dec 13 |
Final Exam 1:30--4:30 pm |