This course discusses what different astronomical objects look like, why they look the way they do, and how to understand what observations are telling us about the underlying physics of the source. We will cover the fundamental physical processes that produce and modify radiation from astrophysical sources, and how they apply to different astronomical examples.
Mondays and Wednesdays 1.30-3pm, Rutherford Building, Board room (next to the lounge)
The first class will be on Monday January 6th, last class is on Wednesday April 8th
Prof. Andrew Cumming
Office: Rutherford Physics Building 310
Office hours: If you have any questions about the course during the term, please drop by my office, or email me for an appointment
Email: [email protected]
The course is divided into four parts:
Radiative transfer Thermal radiation. Optical depth and the transfer equation. Stellar atmospheres and interiors. Emission and absorption lines.
Free electrons Electromagnetic radiation, including polarization. Radiation by accelerated charges. Bremsstrahlung, Compton scattering, and Synchrotron radiation. Plasma effects. The electron distribution function. Propagation effects.
Bound electrons Radiative transitions in atoms and molecules. Line formation and broadening. Excitation and recombination. The cooling function. Stellar opacities. Dust and absorption by the interstellar medium.
Multimessenger processes Gravitational radiation: Emission of gravitational waves (back of the envelope, no GR). Sources: binaries, merging compact objects, supernovae. Neutrino emission and neutrino transport from supernovae, massive stars and neutron stars.
The emphasis will be on understanding the basic physical ideas and applying them to examples from across astrophysics.
You will be graded on
Homeworks - 50%
Project 1 Analyze something - 25% paper due on Feb 28, topic due on Jan 31 New! deadline extended to Monday March 9th
Project 2 Compute something - 25% paper due on Apr 14, topic due on Mar 9
A textbook is not required. Most of the topics are covered in the book by Rybicki and Lightman Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, although we will supplement the material in this book with many examples drawn from all areas of astrophysics. Other useful books are Shu The Physics of Astrophysics, Volume 1: Radiation and Longair High Energy Astrophysics (Volumes 1 and 2). Notes and readings on specific topics will be given out as the course goes on.
Useful links:
NASA ADS Library for project ideas
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (more information). In accord with McGill University's Charter of Students' Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded. In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change. Additional policies governing academic issues which affect students can be found in the McGill Charter of Students' Rights.