ASTR 402 - Fundamentals of Astrophysics

Instructor: Jeremy Heyl

Topics we will cover include:

Radiative transfer Atomic/molecular physics Astrophysical hydrodynamics

Bremstralung Synchrotron radiation

Although we will study a broad range of physical processes, the emphasis will be astrophysical applications such as

Supernovae remnants Gamma-ray bursts Pulsars

Quasars Masers Accretion Flows

I will base the grades on the short weekly problem sets and reading quizzes (through WebCT), class participation, a midterm and final exam.

Much of the course will follow the required text, Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, by George Rybicki and Alan P. Lightman. I have placed this book on reserve in the main library along with both volumes of Frank Shu's The Physics of Astrophysics and the first volume of Theoretical Astrophysics by Thanu Padmanabhan.

The course will be run through WebCT, so I suggest students who have enrolled already to check it out.