ASTRONOMY 201:  RADIATIVE PROCESSES

Fall 2010



Quicklinks

Problem sets

Transcribed lecture notes

   




Fundamental processes underlying why we see what we see in astronomy, geared towards graduate students. Applications explicitly treated in class include: 21 cm radiation from hydrogen; thermal radiation from dusty protoplanetary disks; Sunyaev-Z'eldovich effect in galaxy clusters; synchrotron radiation from supernova remnants; cyclotron radiation from giant planets; bremsstrahlung in galaxy cluster cooling flows; and line driving in winds surrounding active galactic nuclei and massive stars.

TOPICS

       A. Specific Intensity and Its Moments

       B. Optical Depth and the Fundamental Equation for Radiative Transfer

       C. Einstein Coefficients and Bound-Bound Absorption Cross-sections

       D. Thermal Radiation and Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium

       E. Spectral Line Formation and Broadening Mechanisms

       F. Grains

       G. Radiative Diffusion

       H. Bremsstrahlung / Free-Free Absorption

       I. Cyclotron and Synchrotron Radiation

       J. Compton and Inverse Compton Scattering

       K. Semi-analytic radiative transfer techniques: Eddington and the Grey Atmosphere

       L. Numerical radiative transfer techniques: Monte Carlo


Instructor

Eugene Chiang (Departments of Astronomy and of Earth and Planetary Science )

Time & Place

Mondays 9:30-11:00 and Wednesdays 1:30-3:00 pm in 501 Campbell Hall

Office Hours

Anytime I am not talking to anybody else. For guaranteed meeting times, e-mail me (echiang{at}astro.berkeley.edu).

Required Texts

Radiative Processes in Astrophysics by Rybicki & Lightman. (Campus bookstore or Ned's on Bancroft.)

Course Reader compiled by Chiang. On sale at Copy Central at 2560 Bancroft Way.

Recommended Texts

Astronomy Methods by Bradt (Campus bookstore or Ned's)

Astrophysics Processes by Bradt (Campus bookstore or Ned's)

Physics of Astrophysics I: Radiation by Shu (Campus bookstore or Ned's)

Format and Grading
Weekly lectures
Problem sets (70%)
Mid-term exam (10%)
Final exam (20%)



Problem Sets (70%)

If you wish to use these problem sets for your classes, please let me know by email beforehand.

Homework policy: Do it yourself. You may consult others and the instructor, but your final solution should be written up by yourself, in isolation, without any notes from anyone else. You may ask for short extensions in special circumstances.

    PS 1: Due Wed Sep 8 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    Accompanying JPG figure

    PS 2: Due Sep 15 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    Accompanying PS FIGURE Accompanying PDF FIGURE

    PS 3: Due Sep 22 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    PS 4: Due Sep 29 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    PS 5: Due Oct 6 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    PS 6: Due Oct 13 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Supplementary article by Purcell & Field, 1956, ApJ, 124, 542
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    PS 7: Due October 27 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    PS 8: Due FRIDAY BEFORE 5 PM IN MY MAILBOX Nov 5 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Supplementary spectra by Wolfe et al. 1993, ApJ, 404, 480
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    PS 9: Due Wednesday Nov 11 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Classic and readable paper on synchrotron spectra by Scheuer & Williams
Supplementary image of the M87 jet by Biretta
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    PS 10: Due November 18 Postscript version here. PDF version here
Paper by Carilli et al. (1991) on Cygnus A
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    PS 11: Due November 25 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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    PS 12: Due December 1 Postscript version here. PDF version here
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Mid-term and Final Exams (10% + 20%)

You may opt for either oral or written formats. Many students who would like to practice for their oral qualifying exams (and for giving scientific talks) choose the oral option.

Mid-term orals will be held Wed October 20. E-mail the instructor your availability. Students who take the oral option will be permitted use of the blackboard only.

Mid-term written exams will be taken during regular class time Wednesday October 20. Students who take the written exam can bring one side of one 3"x5" index card for notes.

Final oral and written exams will likely follow the same format as the mid-term exams and be held Wednesday-Friday December 15-17 (tentative), one week after classes end. Special arrangements will be made for students who request them.