Physics of Astrophysics II

4.0 credits

One half of the required 2 part sequence (can be taken before or after ASTR 461). Focuses on hydrodynamic and plasma processes relevant to astrophysics. Fundamentals of fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, fluid, MHD, and thermal instabilities, turbulence, supersonic and subsonic flow. Accretion physics, shocks, dynamos, particle accelerations in plasmas, dynamics of magnetic fields. Concepts are developed from first principles and many applications in astrophysics are studies. (Cross-listed with PHYS 452).