Astronomy G4001. Astrophysics, I. 4.5 pts. This is the first semester of a full year introduction to astrophysics. Topics include the physics of stellar structure, stellar spectra, the HR diagram, the determination of distances, stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, interacting binaries, stellar pulsations.

Astronomy G4002. Astrophysics, II. 4.5 pts. Continuation of Astronomy G4001. Topics include galactic structure, star clusters, the interstellar medium, external galaxies, clusters and superclusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, cosmology.

Astronomy G4003. Observational techniques. 3 pts. Prerequisites: basic astronomy such as C1103/C1104 or F1001/F1401 and basic Physics courses including optics, electronics and laboratory work on these two topics: General Physics III: Optics & Thermodynamics C1011 or C1111. Detailed introduction to the instrumentation used in astronomy and the methods used to obtain and analyze astronomical data. Six main topics are included: the effects of the Earth's atmosphere on radiation; astronomical optics and telescopes; detectors; observational methods; data reduction and statistical methods. All the main observational methods (imaging, photometry, polarimetry, and spectroscopy) are treated.

Astronomy G4301. Astrophysical and geophysical fluid dynamics. 3 pts. Prerequisite: some knowledge of ordinary and partial differential equations. Equations of motion for oceans, atmospheres, planetary interiors, and stars. Dynamics of rotating and stratified flows. Gravity, inertial, acoustic, and rossby waves. Convective, baroclinic, and shear instabilities turbulence. Spin-up and dynamo theory.

Astronomy G4686. Physics of astrophysics, I. 4.5 pts. Prerequisite: 3000-level electromagnetic theory and quantum mechanics. Physical processes in gases, with emphasis on those topics important in an astrophysical setting (stars, diffuse nebulae, galaxies). Statistical mechanics; non-equilibrium statistical and continuum physics; classical and semi-classical radiation theory.

Astronomy G4687. Physics of astrophysics, II. 4.5 pts. Prerequisite: Astronomy G4686 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to hydrodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, and plasma physics with applications to problems of astrophysical interest. The Euler and Navier-Stokes equations, linear and non-linear waves rotating fluids, stability theory, supersonic flow and shock waves, similarity solutions, and heuristic theories of turbulent transport. Ideal magnetohydrodynamics, flux conservation, Alfven waves. Motion of changed particles in magnetic fields, adiabatic invariants, Vlasov equation, dispersion relations, and collisional dissipation.

Astronomy G6001. Advanced stellar structure and evolution. 3 pts. Topics include solar and stellar seismology, rotating stars, magnetic stars, pulsating stars, stellar mass loss, compact objects, interacting binary stars, pulsars, supernovae, nucleosynthesis.

Astronomy G6002. Radiative transfer and stellar atmospheres. 3 pts. Topics include the transfer equation, emission, absorption, scattering, line formation, curve of growth, moving atmospheres, non-LTE effects, non-thermal radiation mechanisms, comptonization, synchrotron self-absorption, masers.

Astronomy G6003. Galactic structure and the interstellar medium. 3 pts. Topics include gaseous nebulae, ionization zones, molecular clouds, star formation, interstellar chemistry, supernova remnants, stellar populations, stellar kinematics, galactic rotation, theory of spiral structure, dark matter in the galaxy, star clusters, chemical evolution of the galaxy.

Astronomy G6004. Internal properties of ordinary and active galaxies. 3 pts. Topics include the stellar and gaseous contents of ordinary galaxies, their luminosities, masses, structures and internal dynamics. Active galaxies including quasars, BL-Lac objects, seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies, emission line galaxies, extragalactic HII regions, and starburst and infrared luminous galaxies. Galaxy formation and evolution will be treated from the perspective of stellar populations, the initial mass function, thermal instabilities, violent relaxation and chemical evolution. Observational and practical methods will receive equal emphasis with theoretical descriptions.

Astronomy G6005. Physical cosmology. 3 pts. Topics include the extragalactic distance scale, Friedmann models, the microwave background, primordial nucleosynthesis, the formation of bound structures, clusters and superclusters of galaxies, measures of the mean density of the university, dark matter, baryosynthesis, inflation, galaxy formation, the particle physics connection.

Astronomy G8001. Planetary fluid dynamics. 3 pts. This course will be devoted to the study of the macroscopic motion of the fluid envelopes of planets (and stars) in response to the effects of rotation, pressure-density gradients, and diabatic forcing. After a brief review of the relevant thermodynamic and radiative processes, the equations of rotational fluid motion will be applied to the comparative analysis of terrestrial meteorology, oceanic flow, and the observed dynamics of planetary atmospheres, with occasional reference to related astrophysical phenomena. Special topics will include potential vorticity, geostrophic and cyclostropic balance, Ekman boundary layers, Rossby waves, and baroclinic instability.

Astronomy G9001-G9002. Special topics in astrophysics. 2 to 4 pts. Members of the staff.

Astronomy G9003-G9004. Research, I and II. 3 pts. Members of the staff.

Astronomy G9201-G9202. Seminar in stellar astrophysics. 2 to 4 pts.

Astronomy G9203-G9204. Seminar in radio astronomy and galactic astrophysics. 2 to 4 pts. Not offered in 1999-2000.

Astronomy G9206. Seminar in infrared and radio astronomy. 2 to 6 pts. Astronomical discoveries driven by instrumental developments. Review of the Fourier transform and its applications, the interferometer in practice, imaging sensitivity, deconvolution, self calibration, spectral line imaging, VLBI, optical interferometry. Discussion of papers on astronomical results obtained with state of the art instrumentation and/or algorithms.

Astronomy-Physics G6011. High-energy astrophysics. 3 pts. Prerequisite: Physics G4021-G4022 or the equivalent. A survey of galactic and extragalactic X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. X-ray binaries, bursters, pulsars, supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, quasars, clusters of galaxies. Cosmic rays, astrophysical plasmas, radiative processes. Diffuse background radiation. Techniques of high-energy astrophysics including detectors, spectrometers, and telescopes.

Astronomy-Physics G6012. High-energy astrophysics. 3 pts. Prerequisite: Physics G4021-G4022 . A survey of galactic and extragalactic X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. X-ray binaries, bursters, pulsars, supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, quasars, clusters of galaxies. Cosmic rays, astrophysical plasmas, radiative processes. Diffuse background radiation. Techniques of high-energy astrophysics including detectors, spectrometers, and telescopes.

Astronomy-Physics G6121. Classical continuum physics. 4.5 pts. Various aspects of fluid dynamics illustrated by an exposition of nonlinear waves in fluids and plasmas, solitary waves and solutions.