Astronomy 500, Graduate Seminar

Department of Astronomy
New Mexico State University

ASTR 119, Wed 12:30-1:20pm

Dr. Chris Churchill
ASTR 206
(505) 646-1913

[Presentations]
[Assignment Schedule]

COURSE ABSTRACT

We will trace the cosmic history of the kinematics, chemical enrichment, and ionization conditions in the Lyman alpha forest and in galactic environments, as viewed through absorption lines in distant, "background" quasars. We will examine what is currently understood about structure evolution and its interplay with the stars created within and feeding back into these structures. Since quasars are observed to z > 4, we will be able to examine this evolution from high redshift to the current epoch (z = 0) as deduced from the absorption lines themselves, from sophisticated numerical and hydrodynamic computer models, from photoionization physics, and from studies of the local ISM and abundance pattern studies of Galactic Halo Stars. We will focus on the "intervening" absorption lines, i.e. those that arise due to material that lies between us, the observers, and the quasars (i.e are not associated with the quasars themselves). Practical excercises will be given on how physical quantities are extracted from the absorption lines (what the observers do with the data!).

COURSE SPECIFICS

PREREQUISITES:
See the instructor if you are interested in taking this seminar.

CLASS MEETING DATES AND LOCATION:
Wednesdays at 12:30 to 1:20 in ASTR 119. Meeting days, times, and locations may be change if appropriate due to scheduling issues.

OFFICE HOURS:
You are welcome to come to my office hours to discuss the course material at any time.

CLASS MEETINGS:
Most classes will include a 15-20 presentation of a paper from the literature by a student. Some classes will be a lecture by the instructor. Other classes will combine the student presentation and the instructor lecture. The student talks should be presented in PowerPoint (or the Linux equivalent) and will follow the format of a 15 minute AAS Dissertation Talk. Some classes, there will be 2 student speakers in the 50 minute class period and lots of discussion- so the talks will need to be well prepared, tight, and to the point. At the beginning of these "presentation" class meetings, a small written assignment will be due from each student. This assignment will be answers to a few key questions for that class period's readings- yes, the ones that are being presented. In this way, everybody should already be familiar with the important points before coming to classes.

RECOMMENDED READING:
There are no assigned textbooks for this course. However, their are two (highly) recommended books. 

    1. "The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres",
        D. F. Grey, 1992 (Cmabridge University Press : Cambridge)

    2. "Physical Processes of the Interstellar Medium"
       L. Spitzer, Jr., 1978, (John Wiley & Sons : New York)
I believe that these are both critical books for any fledging astronomer interested in pursuing knowledge of spectra and their analysis. In other words, I think you should own a copy of both of them. I will recommend readings from small portions of these two books and recommend readings from a few other books. A copy of both Grey and Spitzer will be placed in the reading room (Library) for short-loan availability (i.e for photo-copying). Readings of scientific works will be assigned on a weekly basis from research journal articles and key review articles from conference proceedings. The reading schedule is ambitious. Do not be daunted because you are not expected nor required to read each article from cover to cover. In this way, I hope you will learn how to, as a young scientist, read the literature, for you can never hope to read all articles from cover to cover. I will be guiding these reading with handouts (the week before) that direct you to key passages and figures. In addition, always read the abstract and conclusions in full (sometimes even as the first cut).

SEMESTER PROJECT:
There will be a few small projects as outlined in the schedule that will culminate in an end of semester project. The division of labor will be determined,. The projects are meant to be byte-size and build upon one another.

GRADING:
Your grade will be based upon: 

      individual oral presentations                       40% 
      written responses to the questions on each paper    30%  
      end of semester project                             20%
      class participation                                 10%
The 15 minute oral PowerPoint presentations will be graded based upon the following: 
         (i) well organized, neatly and clearly displayed (slides are
             not over crowded, text is appropriate size, plots are
             appropriate size, number of main points is appropriate
             for allotted time, etc)
        (ii) speaking is load and clear, confident
       (iii) filling the allotted time without rushing or dragging, 
             especially not going over the allotted time
        (iv) quality of answers in Q/A portion