ASTR498E High-energy astrophysics

(Spring 2006; Reynolds)

 

 

Prof: Chris Reynolds

Phone: (301)405-2682

E-mail: chris@astro.umd.edu

Office: CSS 1243

Office hours:11am-noon Tuesdays, or by appointment

Textbook: “Accretion Power in Astrophysics” by Frank, King & Raine (3rd Edition)

 

Course description

 

The study of high-energy astrophysics concerns itself with understanding the most exotic and energetic phenomena in the Universe; many of these phenomena are associated with black holes and neutron stars.   The course will begin with an introduction to neutron stars and black holes, and then proceed to discuss several questions that are at the forefront of current research.   A major emphasis of the course will be the open questions and mysteries that still abound in high-energy astrophysics, and the manner in which researchers can develop thoughtful and methodical strategies for solving these mysteries.

 

Course Pre-requisites

 

This class is intended for Physics and Astronomy majors, or those with a strong background in Physics and Astronomy.  A basic knowledge of astronomy at the ASTR120/121 level will be required.   I will also assume a good working knowledge of algebra, calculus (including vector calculus), and Newtonian dynamics.  A rudimentary knowledge of quantum physics will also be very useful.

 

Course expectations

 

Attendance: Attendance in class is crucial.  A major part of this course will center around in-class discussions… simply getting hold of the lecture notes will not allow you to be successful in this course.   In the event of an emergency where you have to miss class, you must make sure that you complete all of the assigned reading, get hold of any lecture notes, and see me in my office hours.

 

Preparation: I expect you to be prepared to work.   We will be covering some fascinating but challenging concepts - you will understand this material much more easily if you preview the recommended reading material ahead of time, as well as giving it a more careful read after the lecture.  You also should review your class notes sometime before the next lecture to make sure everything is clear.   I encourage you to ask questions in the lectures or during my office hours.

 

Study Habits: Study wisely and ask for help if you need it.  It is better to keep up with the material on a daily basis than cram the night before the exam.  I encourage you to chat about problems with your friends and classmates – you will learn a huge amount from trying to explain confusing issues to each other. However, please keep in mind that all graded materials, including class-assignments and home-works, must be your own thoughts in your own words.

 

 

 

 

Grading

 

Grades are based on a point scale with different assignments weighted as shown below.

 

            Homeworks (6)                                   30%

            Midterm exam                                     20%

            Project/presentations                           30%

            Final exam                                           20%

 

Letter grades will be assigned guided by the following scheme.

 

            A         90% - 100%

            B         80% - 90%

            C         70% - 80%

            D         60% - 70%

            F          <60%

 

I may adjust the precise grade boundaries to obtain a fair distribution of final grades.

 

Midterm exam

 

There will be one in-class examination on the 7th March 2006.   This exam will be closed book, and calculators will be allowed. The exam will consist of essay and problem solving questions.   University regulations will apply regarding academic honesty and excused absences (see below).   If you are not able to take an exam due to illness or other legitimate reasons, you must contact me on or before the day of the exam either by email or voice mail.   In addition, you must document the reason for your absence.  A make up exam must be taken promptly.   I will give at most one make-up exam.  If you must miss both the midterm and its make-up exam, I will give an oral examination.

 

If, for whatever reason, the University is officially closed on the day of the exam, the exam will be re-scheduled for the next lecture date.

 

Final exam

 

As per the University rules, the final exam for this course will be held on Friday 19th May 2006, 10.30am-12.30pm, in room CSS0201.  The final exam is cumulative in the sense that it will cover all material discussed in this course.   The format of the final exam will be the same as the midterm exam, with essay or problem solving questions.

 

 

 

Homeworks

 

There will be a total of six homeworks in this course.   On the due date, homeworks should be handed in at the front of the class.  Homeworks will be considered late by the end of class and will no longer be accepted.   If you cannot make it to class, you should either ask a friend/classmate to hand it in for you, or make sure that it gets to me (room CSS1243) before the time that it is due.   If you have a valid emergency, you should send me an email or voice mail message before the due date telling me the nature of the emergency.   Please document all such emergencies.

 

If, for whatever reason, the University is officially closed on the day of the due date, the due date will be moved to the next lecture.

 

Project and presentations

 

A major component (25%) of the grade for this class will based on a group project and presentation.  Detailed about this project will be announced later in the semester.

 

Academic Integrity

 

The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students.  As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course.  It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism.  For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html

 

Please note that these rules apply to homeworks and quizzes as well as exams.   As a part of these rules, you must give credit to any book (including the course textbook!), published article or web-page that you have used to help you with a particular assignment.   The University takes these issues extremely seriously, as do I.

 

To underscore the need for academic integrity, the University asks you to write the following pledge on any assignment or exam:

 

“I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination.”

 

Preliminary course outline

 

DATE                         PRELIMINARY TOPIC

 

                                    How exotic does nature get?

1/26/2006                    Introduction & Overview; the crushing of normal matter

1/31/2006                    Electron degeneracy pressure and white dwarfs

2/2/2006                      Chandrasekhar mass, neutron stars and type-1A supernovae

2/7/2006                      Discovery of neutron stars; Pulsars

2/9/2006                      Collapse to black holes; basic nature of black holes

2/14/2006                    Discovery of black holes

 

                                    What makes black holes shine?

2/16/2006                    Accretion and accretion disks

2/21/2006                    Viscosity in accretion disks

2/23/2006                    Winds from accretion disks

2/28/2006                    Physics of low and high luminosity accretion disks

3/2/2006                      Open issues in disk physics

 

3/7/2006                      MIDTERM EXAM

 

                                    Is Einstein’s theory of gravity correct?

3/9/2006                      Structure of general relativity; weak field tests

3/14/2006                    Predictions of GR close to neutron stars and black holes

3/16/2006                    Conclusions from neutron star observations

3/28/2006                    Conclusions from black hole observations

3/30/2006                    Future X-ray and gravitational wave observations

 

                                    What is the nature of Dark Energy?

4/4/2006                      Cosmology and Einstein’s greatest mistake

4/6/2006                      The discovery of the accelerating Universe

4/11/2006                    What is Dark Energy? 

4/13/2006                    Strategies for solving the mystery

 

                                    How do black holes influence galaxy formation?

4/18/2006                    Basics of galaxy formation theory; need for feedback

4/20/2006                    The M-sigma relationship

4/25/2006                    Jets from active galactic nuclei

4/27/2006                    The cooling flow problem

5/2/2006                      Open issues in AGN feedback

 

5/4/2006                      CLASS PRESENTATIONS

5/9/2006                      CLASS PRESENTATIONS

5/11/2006                    CLASS PRESENTATIONS

5/19/2006                    FINAL EXAM (10.30-12.30)