University of Heidelberg

Theoretical Astrophysics

Lecturers: Ralf Klessen
ZAH/ITA, Albert-Ueberle-Str. 2, 69120 Heidelberg
Time and Location: Monday, 9:00 - 10:45 hours, INF 227 -- Lecture Hall 2
Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:45 hours, INF 227 -- Lecture Hall 2
Detailed Schedule: An approximate schedule can be found HERE. Lectures will be held in English.
Topics: Theoretical formulation of fundamental processes in astrophysics:
  • Hydrodynamics: derivation of equations of hydrodynamics; virial theorem; ideal and viscous fluids; hydrostatic equilibria; sound waves; supersonic flows and shocks; hydrodynamic instabilities; convection and turbulence;
  • Plasma Physics: equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics; ambipolar diffusion (non-ideal MHD); Alfven waves; collisionless plasma; dispersion relations; longitudinal waves and Landau damping;
  • Stellar Dynamics: timescales; relaxation processes; Jeans equation; virial theorem for N-body systems; equilibria and stability of self-gravitating systems; dynamical friction; Fokker Planck approximation;
  • Radiation: macroscopic radiation field; emission, absorption, and scattering; radiative transport equations; bremsstrahlung and synchrotron radiation; ionization and recombination; spectra;
Tutorials: Tuesday, 9:15 - 11:00, INF 227 -- Room 1.403
Tuesday, 11:15 - 13:00, INF 227 -- Room 2.403
Tuesday, 14:15 - 16:00, INF 227 -- Room 3.404
Please register at the THIS WEBSITE.
Moodle Page: Further lecture material can be found at the elearning2 platform of Heidelberg University. Follow this LINK.
Literature: At this LINK you find a list of recommended books for this course.
Credits: In order to get credits for this course, you have to solve 60% of the homework problems and pass the final exam. Homework assignments can be solved in groups of up to three people.
Module: This is the master module MKTP2. It corresponds to 8 credit points or a workload of 240 hours.
Exam: The final exam takes place on Wednesday, February 10th 2016, in the time from 9h to 12h in the Grand Lecture Hall at Philosophenweg 12. You can bring one handwritten A4 sheet of paper with notes and formulae (no printouts!), but you are not allowed to use pocket calculators or other technical devices (such as smartphones or touchpads).

 

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