Astronomy 350: Introduction to Astrophysics - Stars

Course outline

Basics: celestial sphere, celestial mechanics, continuous spectrum of light, interaction of light and matter, telescopes

Stellar properties: fundamental parameters, stellar atmospheres, stellar structure, brown dwarf, extrasolar planets

Stellar evolution: ISM and star formation, main sequence evolution, post main sequence evolution, stellar end states

Organization

Lectures T Th 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM

Homework (40%) 8-9 problem sets

Term exam (2 at 15% each)

Final exam (30%)

Text: Bradley Carroll and Dale Ostlie, Modern Astrophysics

Recent Instructors

Christopher Johns-Krull, Fall 2007, spacibm.rice.edu/~baring/astr350.html

Matthew Baring, Fall 2006

All information is representative only, and is likely to change from year to year.