Course Number: Astro 5800
Course Name: Stellar Astrophysics
Credits: 3 Cr
Instructor: Steven Kawaler sdk@iastate.edu
PreReq: Graduate standing or Instructor permission.
Course Description
Explores the interior structure and atmospheric properties of stars. Topics covered include:
- Stellar structure equations and constitutive relations: energy generation, energy transport by radiation and convection
- Equation of state, nuclear energy generation and nucleosynthesis.
- Numerical and analytic solutions to the equations of structure and evolution.
- Observational connections through the theory of radiative transfer.
- Line and continuum processes and sources of opacity. Non-LTE and statistical equilibrium.
- Line profiles.
- Interpretation of stellar spectra: temperature, pressure, and abundance determinations.
- Stellar evolution from formation to final phases.