ASTR 545
Stellar Spectroscopy

T-Th 11:45-1:00
Astronomy Bldg, Rm 119

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Last Modified 09.05.06

Topic Assignment
Introduction
  • What generates the spectrum of a star? What is a stellar atmopshere?
  • Stellar spectra zoo, features, the big three (gravity, temperature, and abundance)
  • Homework 1
    Classifying Stellar Spectra
    Atmosphere Physics
  • Gas Physics, velocities, densities
  • Local thermoequilibrium (LTE), Boltzmann equation
  • Excitation potentials, statistical weights, partition functions
  • Saha equation
  • Detailed balancing, charge and particle conservation
  • The radiation field, moments of the radiation field
  • The Transfer equation and radiative equilibrium
  • The Grey atmosphere, mean opacities
  • Model atmospheres
  • Homework 2 [example F77 program ]
    Homework 3 [example F77 program | zbrent.f | zbrent.c ]
    Homework 4
    Model Atmosphere Assignment
    (spline, splint, splie2, splin2 F77 codes)
    (spline, splint, splie2, splin2 C codes)
    Spectra
  • The spectrograph, design and characterization
  • Reduction and analysis
  • Line formation, line broadening, profile shapes
  • The curve of growth
  • Fitting lines: Gaussian, Voigt, rotation, microturbulence
  • Abundance measurements
  • Observed abundance trends
  • Homework 5 (voigt.f F77 code)
    Homework 6

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