Ay 1
The Evolving Universe
9 units (3-3-3); third term
|
This course is intended primarily for freshmen not expecting to take more advanced astronomy courses and will satisfy the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum
Introduction to modern astronomy that will illustrate the accomplishments, techniques, and scientific methodology of contemporary astronomy. The course will be organized around a set of basic questions, showing how our answers have changed in response to fresh observational discoveries. Topics to be discussed will include telescopes, stars, planets, the search for life elsewhere in the universe, supernovae, pulsars, black holes, galaxies and their active nuclei, and the Big Bang. There will be a series of laboratory exercises intended to highlight the path from data acquisition to scientific interpretation. Students will also be required to produce a term paper on an astronomical topic of their choice and make a short oral presentation. In addition, a field trip to Palomar Observatory will be organized. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.
Instructor:
Scoville
Ay 20
Basic Astronomy and the Galaxy
10 units (3-1-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ma 1 abc, Ph 1 abc.
The electromagnetic spectrum; ground and space observing techniques; spectroscopy: inferring the composition and physical properties of astronomical objects; stellar masses, distances, and motions; the birth, structure, evolution, and death of stars; the structure and dynamics of the Galaxy. Short labs will introduce optics, spectroscopy, and astronomical measurement techniques.
Instructor:
Phinney
Ay 21
Galaxies and Cosmology
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Cosmological models and parameters, extragalactic distance scale, cosmological tests; constituents of the universe, dark matter, and dark energy; thermal history of the universe, cosmic nucleosynthesis, recombination, and cosmic microwave background; formation and evolution of structure in the universe; galaxy clusters, large-scale structure and its evolution; galaxies, their properties and fundamental correlations; formation and evolution of galaxies, deep surveys; star formation history of the universe; quasars and other active galactic nuclei, and their evolution; structure and evolution of the intergalactic medium; diffuse extragalactic backgrounds; the first stars, galaxies, and the reionization era.
Instructor:
Djorgovski
Ay 30
Current Trends in Astronomy
3 units (2-0-1)
|
second term
Weekly seminar open to declared Ay majors at the discretion of the instructor; nonmajors who have taken astronomy courses may be admitted. This seminar is held in faculty homes in the evening and is designed to encourage student communication skills as they are introduced to faculty members and their research. Graded pass/fail. Sargent.
Instructor:
W
Ay 31
Writing in Astronomy
3 units
|
third term
This course is intended to provide practical experience in the types of writing expected of professional astronomers. Example styles include research proposals, topical reviews, professional journal manuscripts, and articles for popular magazines such as Astronomy or Sky and Telescope. Each student will adopt one of these formats in consultation with the course instructor and write an original piece. An outline and several drafts reviewed by both a faculty mentor familiar with the topic and the course instructor are required. This course is open only to those who have taken upper-level astronomy courses. Fulfills the Institute scientific writing requirement.
Instructor:
Hillenbrand
Ay 40
Topics in Modern Astrophysics
6 units (2-0-4)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ay 20. May be repeated for credit.
In 2007-08, the course will explore the process of star formation from both observational and theoretical perspectives. Topics include star-forming regions, physical processes in molecular clouds, core collapse and protostars, premain sequence stars, the impact of star formation upon environment, theoretical evolutionary models, primordial accretion disks, formation of planetary systems, circumstellar debris disks, star formation on galactic scales.
Instructor:
Dahm
Ay 43
Reading in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Units in accordance with work accomplished, not to exceed 3
Course is intended for students with a definite independent reading plan or who attend regular (biweekly) research and literature discussion groups. Instructor's permission required. Graded pass/fail.
Ay 78 abc
Senior Thesis
9 units
Prerequisites: To register for this course, the student must obtain approval of the astronomy option representative and the prospective thesis adviser.
Open only to senior astronomy majors. This research must be supervised by a faculty member, student's thesis adviser. The written thesis must be completed and approved by the adviser before the end of the third term. Students wishing assistance in finding an adviser and/or a topic for a senior thesis are invited to consult with the astronomy option representative. A grade will not be assigned in Ay 78 until the end of the third term. P grades will be given the first two terms, and then changed at the end of the course to the appropriate letter grade.
Ay 101
Physics of Stars
11 units (3-2-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ay 20.
Physics of stellar atmospheres. Properties of stars, stellar spectra, radiative transfer, line formation. Stellar structure, stellar evolution, evolution of binaries. Nucleosynthesis in stars. Stellar oscillations.
Instructor:
Hillenbrand
Ay 102
Physics of the Interstellar Medium
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ay 20.
An introduction to observations of the interstellar medium and relevant physical processes. The structure and hydrodynamic evolution of ionized hydrogen regions associated with massive stars and supernovae, thermal balance in neutral and ionized phases, star formation and global models for the interstellar medium. Sargent.
Instructor:
A
Ay 105
Optical Astronomy Instrumentation Lab
9 units (1-6-2)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ay 20.
An opportunity for astronomy and physics undergraduates (juniors and seniors) to gain firsthand experience with the basic instrumentation tools of modern optical and infrared astronomy. The 10 weekly lab experiments are expected to include radiometry measurements, geometrical optics, optical aberrations and ray tracing, spectroscopy, fiber optics, CCD electronics, CCD characterization, photon counting detectors, vacuum and cryogenic technology, and stepper motors and encoders.
Instructors:
Blain, Martin
Ay 121
Radiative Processes
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ay 101 (undergraduates); Ph 125 or equivalent.
The interaction of radiation with matter: radiative transfer, emission, and absorption. Compton processes, synchrotron radiation, collisional excitation, spectroscopy of atoms and molecules.
Instructor:
Kamionkowski
Ay 122
Astronomical Measurements and Instrumentation
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ph 106 or equivalent.
Measurement and signal analysis techniques throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Telescopes and interferometers; detectors and receivers; photometry and radiometry; imaging devices and image processing; spectrometers; space telescopes.
Instructors:
Steidel, Kulkarni
Ay 123
Structure and Evolution of Stars
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ay 101 (undergraduates); Ph 125 or equivalent.
Thermo-dynamics, equation of state, convection, opacity, radiative transfer, stellar atmospheres, nuclear reactions, and stellar models. Evolution of low- and high-mass stars, supernovae, and binary stars.
Instructors:
Cohen, Ellis
Ay 124
Structure and Dynamics of Galaxies
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ay 21 (undergraduates); Ph 106 or equivalent.
Stellar dynamics and properties of galaxies; kinematics and dynamics of our galaxy; spiral structure; stellar composition, masses, and rotation of external galaxies; star clusters; galactic evolution; binaries, groups, and clusters of galaxies. Sargent.
Instructor:
W
Ay 125
High-Energy Astrophysics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ay 21 (undergraduates); Ph 106 or equivalent.
High-energy astrophysics and the final stages of stellar evolution; supernovae, binary stars, accretion disks, pulsars; extragalactic radio sources; active galactic nuclei; black holes.
Instructor:
Kulkarni
Ay 126
Interstellar Medium
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ay 102 (undergraduates).
Physical processes in the interstellar medium. Ionization, thermal and dynamic balance of interstellar medium, molecular clouds, hydrodynamics, magnetic fields, H II regions, supernova remnants, star formation, global structure of interstellar medium. Sargent.
Instructor:
A
Ay 127
Cosmology and Galaxy Formation
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ay 21 (undergraduates); Ph 106 or equivalent.
Cosmology; extragalactic distance determinations; relativistic cosmological models; galaxy formation and clustering; thermal history of the universe, microwave background; nucleosynthesis; cosmological tests.
Instructor:
Steidel
Ge/Ay 132
Atomic and Molecular Processes in Astronomy and Planetary Sciences
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Fundamental aspects of atomic and molecular spectra that enable one to infer physical conditions in astronomical, planetary, and terrestrial environments. Topics will include the structure and spectra of atoms, molecules, and solids; transition probabilities; photoionization and recombination; collisional processes; gas-phase chemical reactions; and isotopic fractionation. Each topic will be illustrated with applications in astronomy and planetary sciences, ranging from planetary atmospheres and dense interstellar clouds to the early universe. Given in alternate years; not offered 2007-08.
Instructor:
Blake
Ge/Ay 133
The Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Review current theoretical ideas and observations pertaining to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Topics to be covered include low-mass star formation, the protoplan-etary disk, accretion and condensation in the solar nebula, the formation of gas giants, meteorites, the outer solar system, giant impacts, extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor:
Blake
Ge/Ay 137
Planetary Physics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ph 106 abc, ACM 95/100 abc.
Solar-system dynamics, with emphasis on slow changes in the orbit and rotation rates of planets and satellites. Topics: tidal friction, resonant orbits and rotation rates, gravitational fields of planets and satellites, dynamics of polar wandering, continental drift, and planetary rings. Given in alternate years; not offered 2007-08.
Instructor:
Sari
Ay 141 abc
Research Conference in Astronomy
3 units (1-0-2)
|
first, second, third terms
Oral reports by astronomy students on current research. These provide an opportunity for practice in the organization and presentation of reports. A minimum of two presentations will be expected from each student each year. This course fulfills the option oral communication requirement and is required of all astronomy graduate students who have passed their preliminary exams. It is also recommended for astronomy seniors. Graded pass/fail. Sargent, A. Sargent.
Instructors:
Ellis, Benson, Kamionkowski, Cohen, W
Ay 142
Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Units in accordance with work accomplished
The student should consult a member of the department and have a definite program of research outlined. Approval by the student's adviser must be obtained before registering. 36 units of Ay 142 or Ay 143 required for candidacy. Graded pass/fail.
Ay 143
Reading and Independent Study
Units in accordance with work accomplished
The student should consult a member of the department and have a definite program of reading and independent study outlined. Approval by the student's adviser must be obtained before registering. 36 units of Ay 142 or Ay 143 required for candidacy. Graded pass/fail.
Ay 199
Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Open to graduate and upper-division undergraduate students in astrophysics and related fields. The topic for this year will be methods of computational science, covering the following subjects: scientific databases and archives, data mining, scientific visualization, principles of physical numerical modeling, design and understanding of scientific computational systems and experiments, networks, Web services, computational and data grids.
Instructor:
Djorgovski
Ay 211
Extragalactic Astronomy
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ay 123, Ay 124, and Ay 127.
Contemporary topics in extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, including observational probes of dark matter and dark energy; cosmological backgrounds and primordial element abundances; galaxy formation and evolution, including assembly histories, feedback and environmental effects; physics of the intergalactic medium; the role of active galactic nuclei; galactic structure and stellar populations; future facilities and their likely impact in the field.
Instructor:
Ellis
Ay 215
Seminar in Theoretical Astrophysics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Course for graduate students and seniors in astronomy and planetary science. Students will be required to lead some discussions. Topic will be selected based on student interest. Not offered 2007-08.
Ay 218
Gamma-ray Astronomy
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Gamma-ray astronomy is entering a golden age, as new observatories such as GLAST, HESS, and Veritas begin operation. This seminar course is designed to expose students to the principles and prospects of the field. Topics will include detection and emission physics, techniques for obtaining multiwavelength observations, active galactic nuclei, blazars, pulsars, supernova remnants, cosmic rays, decaying cosmic particles, backgrounds, and gamma-ray bursts.
Instructors:
Phinney, Kulkarni, Prince
Published Date:
July 28, 2022