ASTRO 201 | Introduction to Astrophysics (Fall 2016, Winter 2018, Winter 2020)
This course uncovers the astrophysics behind the most important and common astronomical phenomena in our universe. A major topic is stars and their lives, which can end violently through supernova explosions, leaving behind black holes or neutron stars. This is followed by the study of the Milky Way and its content, other galaxies, and how unseen dark matter shapes the universe we see today. We conclude with the origin of the universe and the limitations of looking back in time.
ASTRO 405 | High-Energy Astrophysics (Winter 2016)
This course will present an overview of such extreme astrophysical phenomena. Covered topics include: – High-energy radiative processes – The physics of accretion and accretion disks – Compact binary systems – Isolated neutron stars and pulsars – Supernova explosions and Gamma-ray bursts – Black holes across the mass scale – Relativistic jets – Galaxy clusters and giant elliptical galaxies.
ASTRO 206 | Black Holes: The Triumph of Gravity (Fall 2014, Fall 2015, Fall 2018)
This class deals with the basic theoretical and observational properties of astrophysical black holes, from stellar-mass objects arising from the death of massive stars, to super-massive black holes lurking at the center of galaxies, including our own Milky Way. Covered topics include: black hole event horizons, accretion power, relativistic jets, black holes in X-ray binary systems, galactic super-massive black holes, Sgr A*, black hole feedback, evaporation and the Hawking effect.
ASTRO 102 | Introductory Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies and the Universe (Fall 2012, Fall 2013)
Discover the nature of stars, black holes, luminous nebulae, supernovae, galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena. In this concept-focused course you will learn what these objects are, how they formed, and what is ultimately in store for the universe. Explore the roles of light, energy, and gravity in astronomy. Learn about the sky in our planetarium and get hands-on experience with telescopes and other astronomy tools.
ASTRO 532 | The High-Energy Universe (Winter 2012, Fall 2019)
The most energetic phenomena in the universe arise either through dramatic explosions of compact stars or through the infall of material into deep gravitational potentials. One theme of the course is the nature of accretion disks, which play a central role in the release of energy as material is accreted onto white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. In these compact objects, magnetic fields are of critical importance in producing the observed radiation through a variety of processes, which will be explored. Another theme is the nature of exploding stars, supernovae, and the particles accelerated in their shocks. Gamma-ray bursts, the most extreme shock events known, and a rapidly moving field, will be discussed. Among the other topics will be the X-ray emission from very hot gas in galaxies and galaxy clusters, as well as the X-ray and gamma-ray backgrounds.
ASTRO 142 | From the Big Bang to the Milky Way (Fall 2011)
This course traces scientific progress in understanding the nature of the Universe, from the early Greeks to the modern view based on Einstein's relativity. Topics include: The Big Bang theory, the origin of matter, the formation of the first stars, the build-up of galaxies, the large scale distribution of galaxies, dark matter and dark energy, and the ultimate fate of the universe.
ASTRO 404 | Galaxies and the Universe (Winter 2011, Winter 2013, Winter 2015)
This class explores the basic aspects of galaxy formation and evolution: galactic morphological types, orbital theory, spiral arms, dark matter, galaxy mergers, the starburst phenomenon, and black holes at the center of galaxies. The clustering of galaxies and their dynamical evolution, along with fundamentals of inflation, universe expansion, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, and the origin and growth of structure will also be covered.