Stellar Astrophysics

In the second semester, the focus is on the dynamics and statistical mechanics of a collection of stars which is treated as a collisionless system. The course begins with a discussion of potential theory and proceeds to discuss the density and phase space distributions of stars in star clusters and galaxies, thus leading to an understanding of the equilibria and stability of these systems. Topics such as Chandrasekhar's dynamical friction and dark matter will constitute the final topics of discussion. This course is also available for advanced undergraduates, with the prerequisites as noted. Prerequisites: Physics 411, 421, and 463, or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:

Stellar Astrophysics

PHYSICS 556

Section 01

Instructors

Ramanath Cowsik

Professor of Physics