ASTRO 4431 - Physics of Stars, Neutron Stars and Black Holes

General Information

Major topics include: the structure and evolution of stars; solar neutrino astronomy; stellar seismology; the physics of white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes; the physics of low mass stars and connection to planets. Basic ideas in atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear and particle physics, fluid mechanics and general relativity are introduced in a practical fashion that emphasizes concepts useful for understanding astrophysical phenomena.

Prerequisites

Mathematics above 2000 level, physics above 3000 level. Recommended prerequisite: PHYS 4443.

Topics Covered

Observational overview for ordinary stars; the fundamental question of stellar astronomy
Hydrostatic balance; simple solutions
Energy transport in stars: radiative diffusion; convection
Energy production in stars: H-burning and the main sequence; He burning
Probes of interiors of stars
Outcomes of stellar evolution: which stars become white dwarfs, neutron stars or black holes?
White dwarfs: properties, structure, mass and radius scale
The white-dwarf/brown dwarf/planet connection
Neutron stars: properties, structure, mass and radius scale. The nature of dense matter.
Detection: accretion, radio pulsars, X-ray pulsars, cooling
Black holes: Physics in extremely strong gravitational fields, discovery via accretion, detection via gravitational radiation
Probes: Electromagnetic and gravitational radiation

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