Catalog Number: 2128
Dimitar D. Sasselov
Half course (fall term)
2002, hours (Tu., Th. 10:10-11:30)
in Observatory Classroom (A-101).
Stellar physics is studied from the two basic precepts -
of the elementary (baryonic) building blocks in the Universe and the evolution
of matter (nucleosynthesis). The theory of stellar interiors and atmospheres
is developed from general grounds and applied as fit to the
variety of stellar objects and their environments. The observational methods
(spectroscopy, dynamics, and seismology) are also discussed briefly. The
goal is to provide the student with basic tools for further research and
with an overall picture of the evolution of matter in the Universe.
Exploring the physics and parameter space with the provided
computer codes on the Web page is strongly encouraged.
The NEW Syllabus
(2002) for this course is available as a PostScript file.
The COURSE with Web links & notes.
Course COMPUTER CODES for Stellar Physics.
Reading Material:
Stellar Interiors, by C.J. Hansen and S.D. Kawaler, 1994, Springer-Verlag
(Price: 49.95)
Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis, by D.D. Clayton,
1984, McGraw-Hill (Price: 26.00)
Supernovae and Nucleosynthesis, by D. Arnett, 1996, Princeton (Price:
31.60)
Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, by G.B. Rybicki and A.P. Lightman,
1985, Wiley (Price: 54.95).
Some of the prices quoted above are from the online bookstore
Barnes&Noble where you can get all
or any of these books. They could also
be available from used booksellers online for less, like
abebooks.com.
The first two books contain the basic material.
Problem Sets:
Five (Sept.26, Oct.10, Oct.24, Nov.7, & Nov.21). Grading: 40% final exam,
50% problem sets, 10% participation (journal club).
FINAL Exam
[
PDF] (due January 21, 2003, 12 noon, in DS or TF's offices or m-boxes).
Related Links:
Stellar Data:
[SIMBAD Database] -
[NASA Data Center]
Atomic & Molecular Data:
["Plasma Gate" Tables
& Links] -
[OSU
Tables] -
[LLNL Scattering]
Codes:
[LOCAL] -
[ATLAS] -
[PHOENIX]
Opacities:
[Los Alamos TOPS] -
[Livermore OPAL] -
[TOPbase]
Interesting Courses:
[Ph136 CIT] -
[Ph101 CIT]
Alyssa Goodman's Web Teaching in Astronomy.
A useful
Astrophysics Handbook on line - great for reference to basic formulae and
data.
Questions or Comments? Click here to send me e-mail at
dsasselov@cfa.harvard.edu.
This page last updated on 09/20/02.