Stars, AST 401

Course Information

Fall 2001

TIME: 10:20 am - 11:40 am, Tuesday, Thursday

PLACE: PA 317

TEXT: Modern Astrophysics by Carroll and Ostlie

INSTRUCTOR: Robert Stein

OFFICE: 310 Physics-Astronomy,

PHONE: 353-8661

EMAIL: stein@pa.msu.edu

WEB PAGE: www.pa.msu.edu/courses/ast401

Course information, an outline of the material to be covered with references, and homework, is posted on the web page.

GOALS

  1. Understand the basic physical processes that control the structure and evolution of stars.
  2. Become familiar with the fundamental techniques for measuring the properties of stars.
  3. Obtain a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the structure and evolution of stars.
  4. Develop the ability to calculate stellar models
  5. Become aware of current controversies, the relevant theoretical and observational issues.

GRADE

Your grade will be based on homework and projects (75%) and a final exam (25%). You are encouraged to work together on the homeworks and projects. You must do the final exam individually.

Supplementary texts

Web page
Elementary Astronomy Outline on Stars with lots of pictures
General Texts
The Physical Universe, An Introduction to Astronomy by F. Shu
Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics by Zeilik & Gregory
Fundamental Astronomy by Karttunen, Kroger, Oja, Poutanen & Donner
Stars
Interpreting Astronomical Spectra by D. Emerson
Stellar Interiors by Hansen & Kawaler
Stellar Structure and Evolution by Kippenhahn & Weigert
Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis by Clayton
Structure and Evolution of the Stars by Schwarzschild

Outline (stars_outline.html)

Homework (stars_homework.html)

Convection Project

Ionization Lab

Radiation Lab

Fluid Dynmaics Lab

This page has been accessed ties.

Updated: 2001.10.22 (Monday) 23:25:01 EDT

Stars
Bob Stein's home page, email: stein@pa.msu.edu