Modern Astrophysics

3 units

This course will describe the astronomical objects and physical processes that constitute modern astrophysics. It will begin with white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes and accretion discs and jets. Next will come the phenomena that these objects produce: novae, pulsars, supernovae, quasars, radio sources, relativistic particles, and cosmic rays. This will be followed with calculations of essential physical processes, including coherent radio emission, synchrotron radiation, pair production and particle acceleration. It will conclude with discussions of open questions: what makes supernovae, the properties of pulsars, the origin of fast radio bursts. The choice of questions will respond to student interests.