Astrophysics
Physics 262 - Fall 2001
Astronomy and the study of the heavenly spheres has fascinated human
beings since pre-historic times. In this course we will focus on the
physics of stars. We will review various fields of physics and will
see how different forces, ranging from microscopic forces on nuclear
scales to the macroscopic forces of gravitation, conspire to govern
the structure and evolution of stars. We will discuss the stellar
life-cycle, starting with their birth in the interstellar gas and
dust, through their ``adulthood'' on the Main-Sequence, and ending
with their return to interstellar gas and dust, sometimes in processes
as spectacular as supernovae, and sometimes leaving ``corpses'' as
exotic as neutron stars and black holes. We will then study the
structure and evolution of the universe itself, and will discuss the
implications of some very recent and puzzling observational findings.
Prof. Thomas W. Baumgarte
320 Searles Science Building
Tel.: x3605
email: tbaumgar@bowdoin.edu
Office hours: MW 4-5pm, or by appointment.
Syllabus
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Last modified: Aug 27, 2001