ASTR 545
Stellar Spectroscopy

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

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PROFESSOR

Dr. Chris Churchill
Office hours: W & Th 12:30-1:30
Office: Rm 206 ASTR (Bldg 55)
Phone: 646-1913
Email: "cwc"


SCOPE OF COURSE

Topics covered:
  • Basic anatomy of stellar spectra; what governs the properties: gravity, abundance, temperature (gat)
  • Radiative transfer and detailed balancing (Boltzman & Saha Equations, LTE) in stellar atmospheres
  • Line formation, curve of growth analysis
  • Design and use of spectrographs
  • Analysis of spectroscopic data
  • Model stellar atmosphere

    COURSE SPECIFICS

    Credit
    This is a three (3.0) credit course. There will be biweekly homework assignments and two exams.

    Prerequisites
    None.

    Lectures
    The lectures are designed to introduce and explain scientific concepts, to stimulate interest in the reading material, to expand on the reading material, and, in some cases, to introduce topics not covered in the textbook. You are encouraged to ask questions during the lectures!

    Required Text
    The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres (3rd ed. recommended) by D. F. Gray.

    Alternate Reading

    Stellar Atmopsheres by D. Mihalas. This is a very theoretical book, but has extended discussions that aid in building physical intuition.

    Introduction to Stellar Atmospheres by E. Novotny. This is an excellent book that is easily accessible and clear.

    The Fundamentals of Stellar Astrophysics by G. W. Collins. This is an on-line book with PDF free downloads. Especially check out chapters 9, 10, 12, 13, & 14.

    Lecture Notes
    I have been writing a book on Quasar Absorption Line Spectroscopy. Some of the chapters I have written are well suited for the study of spectrscopy in general, and will serve as additional lecture notes. This is required reading.

    Course Home Page
    The home page is     http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/cwc/Teaching/ASTR545/Spr06/.

    Attendance
    Mandatory.

    Homework Assignments
    There will be biweekly assignments (once each two weeks).

    Exams
    There will be two exams covering the lecture material, the assigned readings, and homework problems.

    Semester Project
    Due at the day of the final exam by 5:00 pm is a model stellar atmosphere. All of the physics required for this model will be covered in lecture. Many of the subroutine and much of the code that will be incoprorated will be developed ina step by step process via the homework assignment (fear not). Details on the assingment will be provded in class.

    Grading
    Grading will be weighted as follows:

    Office Hours
    You are encouraged to come to my office hours for help with the course material. If you cannot make the appointed times, please make an appointment (my office hours are given above).

    UNIVERSITY DISCLAIMER's etc. blah blah blah....
    All New Mexico State University policies regarding ethics and honorable behavior apply to this course (and they are taken very seriously). For details, please see     Division of Student Affairs Handbook. If plagiarism is suspected, an investigation will be conducted by the Committtee of Student Affairs with the possible outcome of receiving a null score on the work in question. Plagiarism includes, but is not necessarily limited to, submitting examinations, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, undocumented quotations, computer-processed materials, or other material as one's own work when such work has been prepared by another person or copied from another person. Both intentional and unintentional plagiarism is considered academic misconduct. If any of this is unclear, please investigate additional information at http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/hc/plagiarism.html. These definitions will applied as matter of policy in this course.