Astrophysics

Catalog description

This course is about the application of fundamental physics to understand observations of the universe, and the usage of astronomical phenomena to study physics. The course draws on all areas of physics. This not only includes mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum and statistical mechanics, but also nuclear physics, particle physics, optics, plasma physics, hydrodynamics, and both special and general relativity. This class focuses on a subset of important physical systems and concepts that have wide applicability to studying the universe as well as other areas of physics. Topics may include depending on student interests: generation and propagation of light, two-body and multi-body dynamics, stellar structure and evolution, stellar atmospheres, winds, shocks, accretion, and the consequences of strong gravity.