ASP3012

Stars and galaxies

(SCI)

Associate Professor Paul Cally (School of Mathematical Sciences)

6 points + Three 1-hour lecture, one 1-hour support classes per week and one 1-hour computer laboratory in most weeks + Clayton + Second semester + Prerequisites: MTH2010 and MTH2032 or equivalent + Recommendations: MTH2021, PHS2011, PHS2022 and ASP2011 + Prohibitions: ASP3011, ASP3032, MAT3111 or MAT3132

Synopsis: Stellar photometry; observing the stars; star formation; equation of state; reduced equations of stellar structure; polytropic stellar models; full equations of stellar structure; the main sequence; post-main-sequence evolution. Galactic morphology and stellar content; elliptical and spiral galaxies; large-scale structure of the Milky Way; dark matter; potential theory; galactic dynamics-orbits in spherical and axisymmetric potentials. Field trip to Mt Stromlo observatory to use 72" telescope. Astronomical data reduction.

Assessment: Examination (3 hours): 70% + Assignments: 20% + Field-trip report: 10%