Astronomy 405/505: Astronomy and Astrophysics I (Fall 2009)

Lectures: Tuesdays & Thursdays   8:55am - 10:10am, Astronomy #119
Textbooks: Modern Astrophysics, by Bradley Carroll & Dale Ostlie
(required; either edition is fine)
Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, by George Rybicki & Alan Lightman (strongly recommended)
Both texts are being held on three-day reserve at Zuhl Library.
Webpage: http://astronomy.nmsu.edu/nicole/teaching/ASTR505
Instructor: Prof. Nicole P. Vogt
Office hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:10 - 11:25, Astronomy #203
Phone: 646-6522
Email: nicole (please add @nmsu.edu)

Critical Dates (subject to change, not yet set in stone for Fall 2009):
            Midterm examination:     Tuesday   6 October        8:55 - 10:10am
            Final examination:     Tuesday 8 December        3:30 -   5:30pm
This course is valued at 3 credits, and is a single semester in length. Our goal is to provide you with an overview of the universe and the physical principles critical to modern astronomy, including radiation mechanisms and radiation transfer in astronomical systems. We will focus in turn on optics, probability, celestial mechanics, classical mechanics (including orbital mechanics), radiative transfer, properties of spectra, and the basic phenomenology of stars and galaxies.

Astronomy is the most observational of all the physical sciences, and astronomers rarely have the opportunity to manipulate the objects we study. Given this limitation, how have we managed to learn so much about the universe?

Background
This course is designed for graduate students, and senior undergraduate students with a solid background in physics or astronomy. It will be assumed that you are familiar with solid geometry and calculus. There will be considerable emphasis on the physical processes believed to be operating in our universe, and the development of basic physical concepts will be a fundamental part of the course. We will also focus upon problem solving strategies. A strong interest in the course material (and the consent of the instructor) is the best prerequisite!

Evaluation
Performance will be judged on the basis of 12 weekly homework assignments, 12 weekly quizzes, and 2 in-class exams. Inspired class participation can merit up to 5% in additional credit.
            Homework 35%
            Quizzes 20%
            Midterm examination   20%
            Final examination 25%
            Class participation +5%