OVERVIEW

We will study the structure and evolution of stars. The material is divided into 4 parts:

I. Introduction to the Stars:

Why study stars? How do we study stars (with a particular emphasis on the properties of light). The basic properties of the stars. How the basic properties of stars are determined. The Quiet and Active Sun as paradigms for stellar structure and evolution. Chapters 3, 4, 16, & 17

II. The Physics and Formation of Normal Stars
The physics of stars. Why stars must evolve? Stellar Nurseries and the formation of stars. Chapters 16, 18 & 19

III. The Lives of Normal Stars

The adulthood of stars (Main Sequence lives). The old age of stars (the post-Main Sequence lives of stars). The deaths of stars. Chapters 20 & 21

IV. The Endpoints of Stellar Evolution

The properties of White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes. Chapter 22

The administrative details for the course may be found in the syllabus. The textbook for the course, Astronomy Today, 5th Edition, Chaisson & McMillan is on reserve in the Knight Library. Send comments to me via e-mail at imamura@physics.uoregon.edu.

LECTURES

The material that will appear on each exam will be determined by how far I get during lectures. The material covered will be announced in the lecture before the exam. The following breakdowns are tentative guidelines for the material to be tested.

• Topic 1 ====> Why do we study stars?
• Topic 2 ====> How do we study stars?
  
• Topic 3 ====> Stellar Properties
• Topic 4 ====> Spectral Analysis
• Topic 5 ====> Tying Things Togeether

  Test 1: Thursday, 19 October 2006

  Test

  Review Sheet

  Exam format: Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions

• Topic 6 ====> The Sun
• Topic 7 ====> Star Birth
• Topic 8 ====> Stellar Evolution

  Test 2: Thursday, 16 November 2006

  Test

  Review Sheet

  Exam format: Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions

• Topic 9 ====> Supernovas
• Topic 10 ====> Black Holes

  Final Exam: 08:00, Thursday, 7 December 2006

  Test

  Review Sheet

  Exam format: Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions

Exam Dates

Exam 1: Thursday, October 19, 2006
Exam 2: Thursday, November 16, 2006
Final Exam: Thursday, Dec 7, 2006 @ 08:00

Assignments

Assignment 1: Due: before 5 pm on October 5, 2006
Assignments 2 & 3: Due: before 5 pm on October 19, 2006
Assignment 4: Due: before 5 pm Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Assignment 5: Due: before 5 pm Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Assignment 6: Due: before 5 pm Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Other Web Sites of Interest

• Astronomy Links