GRS AS 701 -- Introduction to Astrophysics
Introduction to astronomical and astrophysical nomenclature and concepts. Coordinate
systems, celestial orbits, radiation, stars, stellar structure, stellar evolution,
clusters of stars, galactic components, galactic structure, galaxy types, active
galaxies, cosmology. Brecher, Jackson, Janes. 4 cr. Sample
syllabus: Brecher
GRS AS 703 -- Introduction to Space Physics
Survey of physical phenomena in the sun, solar wind, and magnetospheres, ionospheres,
and upper atmospheres of objects in the solar system. Introduction to the physical
processes governing space plasmas, solar-terrestrial interactions, and ionized
and neutral media surrounding the Earth and other solar system bodies. Hughes,
Mendillo, Spence. 4 cr. Sample syllabus: Hughes
GRS AS 710 -- Observational Techniques
Telescopes, light detection, and analysis tools and techniques of experimental
astronomy. Signal-to-noise calculations. Photometric and spectroscopic instrumentation
and applications. Use of the observatory, CCD light detectors, modern software
analysis tools, image processing. Proposal writing and science writing. Chakrabarti,
Clemens, Deutsch, Janes. 4 cr. Sample syllabus: Deutsch
GRS AS 712 -- Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
Generation, propagation, and transfer of electromagnetic radiation. Spectral
energy distributions, continuum radiation, spectral lines. Interaction of
radiation with matter, transfer of radiation through astrophysical media.
Thermal and nonthermal radiative processes. Bania, Marscher. 4 cr.
GRS AS 713 -- Astronomical Spectroscopy
Spectroscopic processes in astrophysics. Energy levels in atoms and molecules.
Atomic and molecular spectral lines. Excitation of atoms and molecules. Transfer
of line radiation. Spectroscopic instruments. Derivation of physical parameters
from spectroscopic observations. Clemens, Jackson. 4 cr. Sample
syllabus: Jackson
GRS AS 725 -- Gravitational Astrophysics
Orbital theory: two-body and three-body problems. Gravitational encounters. N-body
problem and star/galaxy clusters. Precession and nutation. Special and General
relativity. Collapsed stellar objects and black holes. Gravitational lensing.
Brainerd, Brecher. 4 cr. Sample syllabus: Brainerd
GRS AS 726 -- Cosmic Gas Dynamics
Gas dynamics as applied to astrophysical settings. Basic fluid mechanics. Ideal
gases. One-dimensional gas flow. Supersonic flows and shock waves. Quasar jets
and stellar winds. Fluid instabilities, turbulence, and convection. Marscher,
Petschek. 4 cr. Sample syllabus: Petschek
GRS AS 727 -- Cosmic Plasma Physics
Physics of astrophysical and space plasmas. Magnetohydrodynamic waves and instabilities.
Magnetoionic theory, electron waves, ion waves. Kinetic theory of waves in plasmas.
Landau damping. Kinetic instabilities. Quasi-linear theory. Particle trapping.
Fritz, Hughes, Oppenheim, Spence. 4 cr. Sample syllabus:
Oppenheim
GRS AS 751 -- Galactic Astronomy and the Interstellar Medium
Prereq: GRS AS 712, 713, 726, or consent of instructor. Physical processes in
interstellar gas. Gaseous nebulae. Star formation. Neutral hydrogen and galactic
structure. Molecular clouds, ionized hydrogen regions, planetary nebulae, supernova
remnants. Dust and extinction. Cosmic rays and the galactic magnetic field. Bania,
Clemens, Jackson. 4 cr. Sample syllabus: Clemens
GRS AS 753 -- Stars and Stellar Systems
Prereq: GRS AS 712, 713, 725, 726, or consent of instructor. Stellar interiors
and atmospheres. Determination of physical properties of stars through observations.
Binary and multiple stars. Star clusters. Novae and supernovae. Stellar evolution
and the chemical evolution of the galaxy. Brecher, Janes. 4 cr.
GRS AS 755 -- Radio Astrophysics
Prereq: GRS AS 710, 712, 713, or consent of instructor. Radio telescopes. Interferometry.
Thermal and nonthermal radio sources. Masers. Radio emission from the sun, planets,
stars, pulsars, interstellar gas, galaxies, and quasars. Bania, Jackson, Marscher.
4 cr.
GRS AS 757 -- High-Energy Astrophysics
Prereq: GRS AS 712, 725, 726, 727, or consent of instructor. Physics of
interactions between high-energy particles and photons. Compton
scattering. Nuclear collisions. Acceleration and energy losses of high-energy
particles. Neutrino production. Physics of cosmic rays. Pulsars. Accretion onto
compact objects. Active galactic nuclei and other high-energy phenomema.
Brecher, Marscher. 4 cr.
GRS AS 759 -- Galaxies and Cosmology
Prereq: GRS AS 712, 713, 725, 726, or consent of instructor. Appearance,
content, and physical properties of galaxies. Distances to galaxies and the
Hubble Law. Active galaxies and quasars. Geometrical and physical cosmology ---
the Big Bang model and the early universe. Formation of galaxies and
large-scale structure. Alternative cosmologies. Brainerd, Brecher,
Marscher. 4 cr.
GRS AS 761 -- Interstellar Chemistry
Prereq: GRS AS 712, or consent of instructor. The chemistry of the gas in the
interstellar medium. Gas phase reactions. Photophysics of interstellar
molecules. Grain surface chemistry. The molecular hydrogen
problem. Interstellar chemistry in special situations. Modelling the chemistry
in interstellar clouds. Bania, Clemens. 4 cr.
GRS AS 781 -- Planetary Atmospheres
Prereq: GRS AS 726 or consent of instructor. Planetary and cometary atmospheres;
atmospheric vertical mixing; radiative processes; catalytic ozone destruction;
aurorae and airglow; planetary ionospheres; energy budgets. Planetary evolution:
solar nebula, outgassing, water loss on Venus and Mars, escape of light gases,
greenhouse effect, isotope fractionation, impact theory. Chakrabarti.
4 cr.
GRS AS 783 -- Ionospheres
Prereq: GRS AS 712, 713, 726, 727, or consent of instructor. The formation of
the ionosphere. The structure and dynamics of the ionosphere and thermosphere.
Aeronomy. Thermosphere/ionosphere coupling. Ionospheric electric fields and current
systems. Ionospheric storms. Ionospheric waves and irregularities. Active experiments
in space. Radio and optical ionospheric diagnostics. Chakrabarti, Mendillo.
4 cr. Sample syllabus: Mendillo
GRS AS 785 -- Magnetospheres
Prereq: GRS AS 712, 713, 726, 727, or consent of instructor. Solar wind/magnetosphere
interaction. Magnetospheric dynamics and substorms. Magnetospheric electric fields
and current systems. Ionosphere/magnetosphere coupling. The aurora. Magnetospheric
plasma waves and instabilities. In situ plasma and field diagnostics.
Fritz, Hughes, Spence. 4 cr. Sample syllabus: Hughes
GRS AS 791 -- Special Topics in Astrophysics
Lecture course examining special topics of current interest in
astrophysics. Offered as a 2 or 4 credit course, depending on the topic.
Staff.
GRS AS 793 -- Special Topics in Space Physics
Lecture course examining special topics of current interest in solar system
space physics. Offered as a 2 or 4 credit course, depending on the
topic. Staff.
GRS AS 850, 851 -- Astrophysics Seminar
Weekly seminar offering graduate students and advanced undergraduates
discussions of current research topics in astrophysics with staff and visiting
scientists. Staff. 2 credits each semester.
GRS AS 865, 866 -- Space Physics Seminar
Weekly seminar offering graduate students and advanced undergraduates
discussions of current research topics in space physics with staff and visiting
scientists. Staff. 2 credits each semester.
GRS AS 901,902 -- Research in Astronomy
Aarons, Bania, Brainerd, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clemens, Crooker, Deutsch,
Erickson, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Siscoe,
Spence. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.
GRS AS 911,912 -- Directed Study in Astronomy
Aarons, Bania, Brainerd, Brecher, Chakrabarti, Clemens, Crooker, Deutsch,
Erickson, Fritz, Hughes, Jackson, Janes, Marscher, Mendillo, Oppenheim, Siscoe,
Spence. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.
