Astronomy 16. Stellar and Planetary Astronomy
Catalog Number: 8813
David Charbonneau
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
This course provides an introduction to the physical principles describing the formation and evolution of stars and their planetary companions. Topics include thermal radiation and stellar spectra; telescopes; energy generation in stars; stellar evolution; orbital dynamics; the Solar system; and exoplanets. This course includes an observational component: Students will determine the distance to the Sun, and use the Clay Telescope atop the Science Center to study stellar evolution and detect exoplanets.
Note: This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Science of the Physical Universe or the Core area requirement for Science A.
Prerequisite: An introductory course in mechanics, which may be taken concurrently, satisfied by Physics 11a, or Physics 15a, or Physics 16.
Astronomy 17. Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 22304
Julia C. Lee
Half course (fall term). M., W., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
This course provides an introduction to the physical principles describing galaxies and the composition
and evolution of the Universe. Topics include the interstellar medium; star clusters; the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way; other galaxies; clusters of galaxies; active galaxies and quasars; cosmology; and the early universe. This course includes an observational component: In addition to observing galaxies with the Science Center Clay Telescope, students will use the millimeter-wavelength telescope at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to determine the mass of the Milky
Way.
Note:
This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the General Education requirement for Science of the Physical Universe or the Core area requirement for Science A.
Prerequisite: An introductory course in mechanics, which may be taken concurrently, satisfied by Physics lla, or Physics 15a, or Physics 16.
*Astronomy 91r. Supervised Reading and Research
Catalog Number: 1545
James M. Moran and members of the Department
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Supervised reading and research in a subject of astrophysics that is not normally included in
the regular course offerings of the department.
Note: Students must arrange for course supervision with an individual member of the Department.The course may be counted only once toward the concentration requirements, and may not be taken more than twice.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 16 or Astronomy 17.
*Astronomy 98. Research Tutorial in Astrophysics
Catalog Number: 3121
David Charbonneau and members of the Department
Half course (spring term). M., 3–4:30, W., 5:30–7:30 p.m. EXAM GROUP: 8, 9
This tutorial introduces students to research at the forefront of astrophysics, and provides opportunities for students to meet with research scientists and individuals active in science
policy, education, and journalism. Students meet weekly for a lecture and discussion over dinner with a guest speaker, preceded by a reading and a preparatory seminar. Students will be mentored throughout the term on a research project of their choosing. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is home to one of the largest groups of astronomers in the world, providing extensive opportunities for undergraduate research.
Note: Open to students persuing the concentration or secondary field in astrophysics, and in special cases to concentrators in other physical sciences.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 16 or Astronomy 17.
*Astronomy 99. Senior Thesis in Astrophysics
Catalog Number: 5413
David Charbonneau and members of the Department
Full course. Hours to be arranged.
For honors candidates in Astrophysics. Individually supervised reading and research
leading to the senior thesis. The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is home to one of the largest groups of astronomers in the world, providing extensive opportunities for undergraduate research.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 98.
[Astronomy 110. Exoplanets] - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 43612
Members of the Department
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
A survey of the rapidly-evolving field of the detection and characterization of planets orbiting other stars. Topics includes proto-stellar collapse and star formation; comets, meteorites, and protoplanetary disk structure; models of planet formation; methods of detecting extrasolar planets; composition and physical structure of planets; planetary atmospheres; habitable zones; greenhouse effect; biosignatures.
Note: Offered in alternate years. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 16.
[Astronomy 120. Stellar Physics] - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 58719
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Stars are the basic building blocks of galaxies and are responsible for the nucleosynthesis of most of the elements. Topics include the structure of self-gravitating objects; energy transport in stars; stellar atmospheres; asteroseismology; nuclear fusion in stars; stellar evolution; nucleosynthesis of the elements; the degenerate remnants of stars; black holes. This course will make use of
thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics, but will review these subjects as necessary. Note: Offered in alternate years.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 16. Physics 15c strongly recommended.
Astronomy 130. Cosmology - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 73826
Douglas Finkbeiner
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1.
The physical model describing the initial conditions, evolution, and ultimate fate of the Universe. Topics include cosmic dynamics; the Robertson-Walker Metric; curvature; estimating cosmological parameters; the accelerating universe; dark matter; gravitational lensing; the cosmic microwave background; nucleosynthesis; inflation and the very early universe; formation of structure.
Note: Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 17 or Physics 15c.
Astronomy 150. Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
Catalog Number: 8993
Ramesh Narayan
Half course (fall term). M., W., 1:30–3. EXAM GROUP: 3, 4
This course offers a survey of radiative processes of astrophysical importance from radio waves
to gamma rays. Topics include thermal and non-thermal processes, including bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, and Compton scattering; radiation in plasmas; and atomic and molecular spectra.
Prerequisite: Physics 15c.
Astronomy 151. Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Catalog Number: 3025
Lars Hernquist
Half course (spring term). M., W., F., at 10.
Fluid and gas dynamics with applications drawn from astrophysical phenoma. Topics include: kinetic theory, diffusive effects, incompressible fluids, inviscid and viscous flows, boundary layer theory, accretion disks, fluid instabilities, turbulance, convection, gas dynamics, linear (sound) waves, method of characteristics, Riemann invariants, supersonic flow, non-linear waves, shocks, similarity solutions, blast waves, radiative shocks, ionization fronts, magnetohygrodynamics, hydromagnetic shocks, dynamos, gravitational collapse, principles of plasma physics, Landau damping, computational approaches, stability criteria, particle based (Lagrangian) methods, adaptive mesh refinement, radiation hydrodynamics.
Astronomy 191. Astrophysics Laboratory
Catalog Number: 3615 Enrollment: Limited to 16.
Patrick Thaddeus
Half course (spring term). F., at 2. EXAM GROUP: 7
Laboratory and observational projects in astrophysics. Students choose two projects from a
selection including: observational studies of the cosmic microwave background radiation, molecules in interstellar clouds, the rotation of the galaxy, galactic molecular sources with the submillimeter array (SMA), stars and clusters with the Clay Telescope; and laboratory experiments including super-conducting submillimeter detectors, x-ray CCDs, and hard x-ray imaging detectors and telescopes.
Note: Primarily for concentrators in astrophysics or combined concentrators with physics. Students with physics as their primary concentration, but with a serious interest in astrophysics, may take this to satisfy their laboratory requirement (in lieu of Physics 191) upon petition to the Head Tutor in Physics.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 16 or 17, or Physics 15c or equivalent.
Astronomy 192. Tools and Techniques of Astronomical Measurements
Catalog Number: 4741
James M. Moran, Jonathan E. Grindlay, and Christopher Stubbs
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 2–3:30.
Presentation of physical principles and techniques used for detection across the frequency domain of both electromagnetic and gravitational radiation. Description and analysis of the corresponding tools used for detection, including telescopes and basic instrumentation, present and (near-term) future. Discussion of different types of measurements—intensity, imaging, spectroscopic, polarimetric, astrometric, and interferometric—throughout the electromagnetic spectrum, including related parameter estimation and error analyses.
Prerequisite: Physics 15a, b, c and Applied Mathematics 105 (or equivalents).
[Astronomy 193. Noise and Data Analysis in Astrophysics]
Catalog Number: 4495
James M. Moran
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
How to design experiments and get the most information from noisy, incomplete, flawed, and biased data sets. Basic of Probability theory; Bernoulitrials: Bayes theorem; random variables; distributions; functions of random variables; moments and characteristic functions; Fourier transform analysis; Stochastic processes; estimation of power spectra:sampling theorem, filtering; fast Fourier transform; spectrum of quantized data sets. Weighted least mean squares analysis and nonlinear parameter estimation. Bootstrap methods. Noise processes in periodic phenomena. Image processing and restoration techniques. The course will emphasize a Bayesian approach to problem solving and the analysis of real data sets.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 21b or equivalent.
[Astronomy 201a. Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics]
Catalog Number: 4303
Instructor to be determined
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Stars are studied as the elementary baryonic building blocks of the Universe, and the main source of the evolution of baryonic matter (nucleosynthesis). Planetary systems are studied in terms of the stellar environments for their formation and survival.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 150 (may be taken concurrently).
[Astronomy 201b. Interstellar Medium and Star Formation]
Catalog Number: 4206
Instructor to be determined
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Nature of the Interstellar Medium (ISM): composition, energetics, densities and interactions; observations and theory. Processes leading to the formation of stars and planets, as well as studies of the feedback on the ISM from stellar deaths.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Astronomy 202a. Galaxies and Dynamics
Catalog Number: 8237
John P. Huchra
Half course (fall term). M., W., at 10.
An overview of extragalactic astronomy. Galaxy formation, evolution and properties, galactic dynamics, clustering, gas dynamics, star formation and other topics at the frontiers of extragalactic astronomy.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2008–09.
Astronomy 202b. Cosmology
Catalog Number: 2446
Abraham Loeb
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 9:30–11.
The cosmological principle: isotropy and homogeneity, cosmological world models, thermal history of the Big Bang, the microwave background, inflation, growth of density fluctuations, large scale structure and other topics at the frontiers of cosmology.
Astronomy 218. Radio Astronomy
Catalog Number: 2883
James M. Moran
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 2–3:30. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Historical development; diffraction theory of antennas and interferometers; signal detection and measurement techniques. Thermal, synchrotron and spectral-line emission in the context of radio observations of the sun, planets, pulsars, masers, hydrogen clouds, molecular clouds, ionized regions, active galaxies, quasars, and the cosmic background. Observational projects carriedout with the Submillimeter Array and Haystack Observatory.
Prerequisite: Astronomy 150 or Physics 153 recommended.
[Astronomy 219. High Energy Astrophysics]
Catalog Number: 1858
Jonathan E. Grindlay and Ramesh Narayan
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Discussion of relativistic and high-energy astrophysical phenomena and observational techniques. Accretion onto compact stars (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes); active galactic nuclei, galaxy clusters. Gamma-ray bursts and cosmic rays. X-ray and gamma-ray background.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
[*Astronomy 224. Solar System Dynamics]
Catalog Number: 8374
Matthew Holman
Half course (spring term). W., F., 12:30–2.
Introduction to techniques of modern solar system dynamics, applied to our own solar system as well as to extra solar planetary systems. Research component focuses on applications of solar system dynamics to data from Pan-STARRS-1.
Note: Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Prerequisite: Introductory Physics.
[Astronomy 225. Formation of Stars and Planets]
Catalog Number: 0983
David J. Wilner
Half course (spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Physical properties of interstellar medium, molecular clouds and their cores, young stellar objects in isolation and in clusters, dynamical processes in star formation and circumstellar disk evolution, properties of the primitive solar nebula and solar system development, extrasolar planetary systems.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
[Astronomy 251. Quantum Mechanics for Astrophysics]
Catalog Number: 5381
Lars Hernquist
Half course (fall term). Hours to be arranged.
Quantum mechanics with applications to atomic and molecular processes important in astronomical environments. Atomic and molecular structure; spectroscopy (selection rules, oscillator strengths, photoionization); scattering theory (elastic, inelastic, approximate methods); line broadening; collision processes (cross sections, rate coefficients) involving electrons, ions, atoms, and molecules.
Note: Expected to be omitted in 2009–10. Expected to be given in 2010–11.
Prerequisite: Physics 143a or the equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Astronomy 287. Atomic and Molecular Astrophysics - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 33124
Alexander Dalgarno
Half course (spring term). W., 2–4.
A survey will be presented of the wide range of atomic, molecular and optical processes that occur in plasmas and their role in determining the physics, chemistry and dynamics of astrophysical enviroments will be discussed.
*Astronomy 301hf. Research Forum
Catalog Number: 5224
Julia C. Lee 5305
Half course (throughout the year). Tu., 4–5:30.
Each week, a speaker (ordinarily faculty in the fall and students in the spring) will describe research in progress. Forum participants will discuss the ongoing work with the presenter, offering both questions and suggestions.
Note: Intended both as an opportunity for substantive discussion, and as training in the clear presentation of scientific ideas. To encourage an informal atmosphere and to facilitate interaction between speaker and audience. No visual aids other than a blackboard and a one-page handout will be allowed (e.g. no PowerPoint).
*Astronomy 302. Scientists Teaching Science
Catalog Number: 9869
Philip M. Sadler 2231
Half course (spring term). Tu., 2–3:30.
Learn the secrets of lecturing well, leading discussions, connecting to real-world applications, and creating tests in any scientific discipline as we focus on relevant educational research and case studies, plus engage in practical classroom activities.
Note: Open to graduate students in all areas of science and uses activities to draw upon research findings from the life, earth, and physical sciences.
Prerequisite: Experience as an instructor of science or as a teaching fellow.