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Program Overview
Physics 610: Interstellar Matter
The course covers the structure of the interstellar medium, including its molecular, neutral atomic, and plasma phases. Topics include radiative transfer, dust, particle acceleration, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays, as well as the effects of supernovae, shock fronts, and star formation.
Overview
The course aims to broaden the list of topics to include the interstellar medium in general, highlighting subjects that are important to areas of current research in extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology, such as galaxy formation, the enrichment of the intergalactic medium, and the reionization of the universe.
Textbook
The required textbook is Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium by Bruce Draine.
Schedule
The sequence of lectures and assignment due dates are preliminary and subject to change. The last two lectures are tentatively reserved for ISM-related topics to be chosen by the students.
Lecture Schedule
The following is a preliminary schedule of lectures:
- LECTURE | DATE | TOPIC | TEXT | DUE
- 1 | Sep 2 | chemical composition of the ISM | D 1.1-1.2 |
- 2 | Sep 4 | radiative transfer; thermal emission | D 7 (RL 1) |
- 3 | Sep 9 | free-free; synchrotron | |
- 4 | Sep 11 | emission and absorption lines | | PS1
- 5 | Sep 16 | guest lecturer: Blakesley Burkhart
tracing hydrogen in the ISM | | - 6 | Sep 18 | HII regions | | PS2
- 7 | Sep 23 | guest lecturer: Eric Gawiser
atomic structure; recombination lines | | - 8 | Sep 25 | guest lecturer: Shyam Menon (TBC)
collisional excitation | | PS3 - 9 | Sep 30 | nebular emission-line diagnostics | |
- 10 | Oct 2 | thermal equilibrium in ionized gas | | PS4
- 11 | Oct 7 | thermal equilibrium in neutral gas; ISM phases | |
- 12 | Oct 9 | interstellar dust: observations | | PS5
- 13 | Oct 14 | interstellar dust: properties | |
- 14 | Oct 16 | interstellar dust: physical processes | | PS6
- 15 | Oct 21 | molecular spectroscopy | |
- 16 | Oct 23 | molecular clouds | | PS7
- 17 | Oct 28 | PDRs and molecular chemistry | |
- 18 | Oct 30 | interstellar magnetic fields | | PS8
- 19 | Nov 4 | fluid mechanics: basics | |
- 20 | Nov 6 | formation of individual stars | | PS9
- 21 | Nov 11 | interstellar shocks | |
- 22 | Nov 13 | stellar winds and supernova blast waves | | PS10
- 23 | Nov 18 | the three-phase model of the ISM | |
- 24 | Nov 20 | star formation on galaxy scales | | observing proposal
- 25 | Nov 25 | feedback on galaxy scales | |
- 26 | Dec 2 | fluids as continua | |
- 27 | Dec 4 | fluid instabilities | | PS11
- 28 | Dec 9 | magnetohydrodynamic waves | |
Grading
The course grade will be based on a weighted combination of three elements:
- problem sets (40%)
- observing proposal (30%)
- final exam (30%)
Problem Sets
Problem sets will include three types of exercises:
- straightforward examples or extensions of material discussed in lecture
- more involved applications to areas of current research
- true/false questions that simulate the challenge of refereeing a journal paper
Observing Proposal
The observing proposal will be for a telescope of your choice and on a topic of your choice, although it should be identical to a research project or a qualifier paper you are already working on.
Final Exam
The final exam will be closed-book and closed-note. At least some questions on the exam will be drawn from a list that will be provided in advance.
Other Items
- The instructor will have to miss at least three regularly scheduled classes, which will either be delivered by guest lecturers or rescheduled at an alternative time.
- Late assignments will incur a penalty, with 10% off the top per day.
- Collaboration on problem sets is allowed, but students must write up their own solutions.
- AI tools, other than spelling/grammar checkers, are not permitted to help complete assignments.
- Students not enrolled for credit are welcome to attend lectures by permission of the instructor.
- Students with disabilities should notify the instructor early in the semester to make necessary arrangements.
