Time Schedule:
Eric Agol
ASTR 561
Seattle Campus
Observed properties of supernovae, x-ray stars, radio sources, quasars. Theories explaining such objects. Origin of cosmic rays.
Class description
This course will cover the various physical processes required for understanding high energy emission (UV, X-ray, Gamma-ray) from astronomical sources. The structure of the class will be to first introduce an astronomical object and the relevant observations using the forefront of astrophysical research, next to discuss the physical principles which might explain those observations, finally to apply the physical principles to the observations. The astronomical objects or phenomena that may be included are cooling flow clusters, isolated neutron stars, the galactic center black hole, the Milky Way, Seyfert galaxies, ultra-luminous X-ray sources, magnetars, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray background, scattering halos from X-ray sources, warm intergalactic medium, X-ray flashes, solar neutrinos, X-ray jets, and neutron star binaries.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Problem sets, final project.
50% problem sets, 50% final project
