| source Caltech (X) |
level |
department Astrophysics (X) |
Introduction to modern astronomy that will illustrate the accomplishments, techniques, and scientific methodology of contemporary astronomy. The course will be organized around a set of basic questions, showing how our answers have changed in response to fresh observational discoveries. Topics to be discussed will include telescopes, stars, planets, the search for life elsewhere in the universe, supernovae, pulsars, black holes, galaxies and their active nuclei, and the Big Bang. There will be a series of laboratory exercises intended to highlight the path from data acquisition to scientific interpretation. Students will also be required to produce a term paper on an astronomical topic of their choice and make a short oral presentation. In addition, a field trip to Palomar Observatory will be organized. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Instructor: Scoville.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
For course description, see Geological and Planetary Sciences.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
The electromagnetic spectrum; ground and space observing techniques; spectroscopy: inferring the composition and physical properties of astronomical objects; stellar masses, distances, and motions; the birth, structure, evolution, and death of stars; the structure and dynamics of the Galaxy. Short labs will introduce optics, spectroscopy, and astronomical measurement techniques.Instructor: Phinney.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Cosmological models and parameters, extragalactic distance scale, cosmological tests; constituents of the universe, dark matter, and dark energy; thermal history of the universe, cosmic nucleosynthesis, recombination, and cosmic microwave background; formation and evolution of structure in the universe; galaxy clusters, large-scale structure and its evolution; galaxies, their properties and fundamental correlations; formation and evolution of galaxies, deep surveys; star formation history of the universe; quasars and other active galactic nuclei, and their evolution; structure and evolution of the intergalactic medium; diffuse extragalactic backgrounds; the first stars, galaxies, and the reionization era. Instructor: Steidel.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
. This course is intended to provide practical experience in the types of writing expected of professional astronomers. Example styles include research proposals, topical reviews, professional journal manuscripts, and articles for popular magazines such as
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
The course covers the process of star formation from both observational and theoretical perspectives. Topics include star-forming regions, physical processes in molecular clouds, core collapse and protostars, premain sequence stars, the impact of star formation upon environment, theoretical evolutionary models, primordial accretion disks, formation of planetary systems, circumstellar debris disks, star formation on galactic scales. Not offered 2008–09.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Course is intended for students with a definite independent reading plan or who attend regular (biweekly) research and literature discussion groups. Instructor’s permission required. Graded pass/fail.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Open only to senior astronomy majors. Research must be supervised by a faculty member. The written thesis must be completed and approved by the adviser before the end of the third term. Students wishing assistance in finding an adviser and/or a topic for a senior thesis are invited to consult with the astronomy option representative. A grade will not be assigned in Ay 78 until the end of the third term. P grades will be given the first two terms, and then changed at the end of the course to the appropriate letter grade.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Physics of stellar interiors and atmospheres. Properties of stars, stellar spectra, radiative transfer, line formation. Stellar structure, stellar evolution. Nucleosynthesis in stars. Stellar oscillations. Instructor: Hillenbrand.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
An introduction to observations of the inter-stellar medium and relevant physical processes. The structure and hydrodynamic evolution of ionized hydrogen regions associated with massive stars and supernovae, thermal balance in neutral and ionized phases, star formation and global models for the interstellar medium. Instructor: W. Sargent.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
An opportunity for astronomy and physics undergraduates (juniors and seniors) to gain firsthand experience with the basic instrumentation tools of modern optical and infrared astronomy. The 10 weekly lab experiments are expected to include radiometry measurements, geometrical optics, optical aberrations and ray tracing, spectroscopy, fiber optics, CCD electronics, CCD characterization, photon counting detectors, vacuum and cryogenic technology, and stepper motors and encoders. Instructors: Blain, Martin.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
The interaction of radiation with matter: radiative transfer, emission, and absorption. Compton processes, synchrotron radiation, collisional excitation, spectroscopy of atoms and molecules. Instructor: Readhead.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Measurement and signal analysis techniques throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Telescopes and interferometers; detectors and receivers; photometry and radiometry; imaging devices and image processing; spectrometers; space telescopes. Instructors: Steidel, Kulkarni.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Thermo-dynamics, equation of state, convection, opacity, radiative transfer, stellar atmospheres, nuclear reactions, and stellar models. Evolution of low- and high-mass stars, supernovae, and binary stars. Instructor: Ellis.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Stellar dynamics and properties of galaxies; kinematics and dynamics of our galaxy; spiral structure; stellar composition, masses, and rotation of external galaxies; star clusters; galactic evolution; binaries, groups, and clusters of galaxies. Instructors: Djorgovski, Benson.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
High-energy astrophysics and the final stages of stellar evolution; supernovae, binary stars, accretion disks, pulsars; extragalactic radio sources; active galactic nuclei; black holes. Instructor: Kamionkowski.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Physical processes in the interstellar medium. Ionization, thermal and dynamic balance of interstellar medium, molec-ular clouds, hydrodynamics, magnetic fields, H II regions, supernova remnants, star formation, global structure of interstellar medium. Instructor: W. Sargent.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Cosmology; extragalactic distance determinations; relativistic cosmological models; galaxy formation and clustering; thermal history of the universe, microwave background; nucleosynthesis; cosmological tests. Instructors: Hirata, Djorgovski.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
For course description, see Geological and Planetary Sciences.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
For course description, see Geological and Planetary Sciences.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
The student should consult a member of the department and have a definite program of research outlined. Approval by the student’s adviser must be obtained before registering. 36 units of Ay 142 or Ay 143 required for candidacy. Graded pass/fail.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
The student should consult a member of the department and have a definite program of reading and independent study outlined. Approval by the student’s adviser must be obtained before registering. 36 units of Ay 142 or Ay 143 required for candidacy. Graded pass/fail.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Terms may be taken independently.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Contemporary topics in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, including observational probes of dark matter and dark energy; cosmological backgrounds and primordial element abundances; galaxy formation and evolution, including assembly histories, feedback and environmental effects; physics of the intergalactic medium; the role of active galactic nuclei; galactic structure and stellar populations; future facilities and their likely impact in the field.Instructor: Ellis.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page
Course for graduate students and seniors in astronomy and planetary science. Students will be required to lead some discussions. Topic will be selected based on student interest. Not offered 2008–09.
Score: 11.733421 Details | Listing | Web page