400A - Lectures topic-by-topic

Lectures topic-by-topic

This is a rough schedule of the topics we will cover. However, we may not get to all topics, depending on progress throughout the semester and student interests. The order roughly follows the presentation in Prof. Onno Pols’ notes, but it is subject to changes as the course progresses.

N.B.: The notes provided here are intended to complement, not substitute other sources. You are strongly encouraged to consult books (e.g., Kippenhahn et al. 2012) and Prof. Onno Pols’ notes.

<2025-01-16 Thu> - Intro & orders of magnitude

Aim:

Discuss syllabus and learning outcomes
Go over some basics (magnitudes, parallaxes, solar quantities: M_o, R_o, L_o, stellar lifetimes)
Discuss project, show list
Discuss expectations and grading rubrics for course and project

<2025-01-21 Tue> - Color-magnitude and Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Aim: Introduce color-magnitude diagrams, theoretical HR diagram, and how they relate to each other. Review some black body radiation and the basics of spectral formation to introduce spectral types.

<2025-01-23 Thu> - Binaries and mass measurements

Aim: Introduce the concept of binarity of stars as something not exotic. Walk through some classes of binaries based on how we observe them (astrometric, visual, spectroscopic, eclipsing) and how they can be used for empirical mass determination.

<2025-01-28 Tue> - Hydrostatic equilibrium

Aim: Introduce the mass conservation and hydrostatic equilibrium equations of stellar evolution. Re-discuss the assumption of spherical symmetry. Introduce the dynamical timescale(s). Brief introduction to MESA-web.

<2025-01-30 Thu> - Equation of state 1

Aim: Introduce Polytropic and ideal gas equation of state.

<2025-02-04 Tue> - Virial theorem

Aim: Introduce the Virial theorem in various forms. Demonstrate that stars “become hotter as they lose energy”.

<2025-02-06 Thu> - Equation of state 2

Aim: Introduce other relevant equations of state

Degenerate and non-relativistic gas
Degenerate and relativistic gas
Radiation-dominated EOS

<2025-02-11 Tue> - Radiative energy transport & conduction

Aim: Energy transport in radiative layers, the third stellar structure equation for non-polytropic models, and local energy conservation

<2025-02-13 Thu> - Opacities

Aim: discuss opacity, Rosseland mean opacities, atomic physics and other sources of opacity in a star

<2025-02-18 Tue> - Convection

Aim: Introduce convective instability, mixing length theory, and its limitations

<2025-02-20 Thu> - Nuclear energy generation

Aim: Introduce basics of nuclear energy generation through fusion, recall basic quantum mechanics elements, Gamow peak

<2025-02-25 Tue> - Nuclear reaction chains

Aim: Introduce pp chain, CN-NO bi-cycle, 3α burning, and later burning phases.

<2025-02-27 Thu> - Neutrino cooling + stellar evolution codes

Aim: discuss neutrino physics relevant to stars, cooling processes and thus complete the physics needed for 1D stellar evolution calculation. Introduce general principles of stellar structure and evolution codes and population synthesis.

<2025-03-06 Thu> - Guest lecture: Neutrinos in stars and using neural networks for Si burning

Guest lecturer: Dr. Aldana Grichener

Notes (Neutrinos)
Slides (Neutrinos)
Slides (Neural network and burning)

<2025-03-10 Mon> - <2025-03-14 Fri> - SPRING BREAK

<2025-03-18 Tue> - Guest Lecture: Roche potential

Guest Lecturer: Dr. Koushik Sen

(Notes from previous semester: Notes)

<2025-03-20 Thu> - Special Guest Lecture: Asteroseismology

Guest Lecturer: Prof. Conny Aerts from KU Leuven

Recent review article

Participation from Steward Observatory and NOIR lab will be encouraged

<2025-03-25 Tue> - Stellar atmospheres and outer boundary conditions

Aims: discuss in more detail the following:

outer boundary conditions
Saha equation
line formation region
line broadening mechanisms

<2025-03-27 Thu> - In class activity: Evolution 1

Aim: discuss the evolution of stars in an in-class activity based on MESA-web models precomputed by the students

<2025-04-01 Tue> - In class activity: Evolution 2

Aim: discuss the evolution of stars in an in-class activity based on MESA-web models precomputed by the students

<2025-04-03 Thu> - In class activity: Evolution 3

Aim: discuss the evolution of stars in an in-class activity based on MESA-web models precomputed by the students

<2025-04-08 Tue> - In class activity: Evolution 4

Aim: discuss the evolution of stars in an in-class activity based on MESA-web models precomputed by the students

<2025-04-10 Thu> - Supernovae

Aim: Introduce the nomenclature for supernovae, discuss the physics of core-collapse and the formation of compact objects

<2025-04-15 Tue> - Gravitational wave progenitors

Aim: introduce gravitational wave formation scenario (isolated binary and dynamical assembly), discuss some known uncertainties.

<2025-04-17 Thu> - Two student presentations

Aim: students will present a topic in stellar evolution to the class. The details of the schedule will be communicated on D2L

<2025-04-22 Tue> - Two student presentations

Aim: students will present a topic in stellar evolution to the class. The details of the schedule will be communicated on D2L

<2025-04-24 Thu> - Two student presentations

Aim: students will present a topic in stellar evolution to the class. The details of the schedule will be communicated on D2L

<2025-04-29 Tue> - Two student presentations

Aim: students will present a topic in stellar evolution to the class. The details of the schedule will be communicated on D2L

<2025-05-01 Thu> - Two student presentations

Aim: students will present a topic in stellar evolution to the class. The details of the schedule will be communicated on D2L

<2025-05-06 Tue> - One student presentations

Extra time can be used as backup