Fall 2024

Class meetings: Monday/Wednesday 2:00-3:20pm in Serin 401

Prof. Alyson Brooks
email: abrooks[at]physics.rutgers.edu
office: 306 Serin
office hours: TBD

Overview

This is an advanced graduate course designed for students pursuing research in astrophysics. We will study the physics of gas in extreme conditions and use it to understand the structure and evolution of stars. Time permitting, we will study both the interiors of stars and the results for stellar evolution, as well as understanding stellar atmospheres.  We will also do a brief study of planetary dynamics in order to understand the modern idea of Solar System formation in relation to work on extrasolar planets. We will develop the formal theory as much as possible and consider computational approaches as appropriate.

Materials

Here are some of the main sources we will use:

• Lecture notes by Onno Pols
• Principles of Astrophysics by Charles Keeton (Springer, 2014)
• MESA stellar evolution code
• The Astrophysics of Planet Formation by Phil Armitage (I will provide summarize notes as appropriate -- you need not buy the textbook)

Topics

Here is a preliminary list of topics for the course. 

• what do we know about stars?
• principles of stellar structure
• gas properties
• energy transport
• nuclear processes
• life cycle: protostars, main sequence, late stages, remnants
• stellar oscillations
• atmospheres: stellar and planetary
• protoplanetary disks
• detecting exoplanets
• growth of planets
• planetary migration

Learning Goals

Astrophysicists use a wide range of analysis methods. You can expect to see all of the following methods in class and on homework assignments. (It is okay if some of these are new to you; the key is being willing to learn and practice.)

• build intuition for physical effects and scalings using dimensional analysis, toy models, and approximations
• build intuition about typical numbers using specific examples
• solve problems analytically where possible
• solve problems computationally where needed (e.g., numerical integration, numerical solution of differential equations)
• plot results

Grading

• 50% homework (4 assignments)
• 20% lectures (2 per student)
• 10% project proposal
• 10% peer review of project proposals
• 10% final presentation

Collaboration

• You should first try all the homework problems yourself. You may then discuss the problems with other students in this course, but you must write up your solutions individually. Include a brief note about what you discussed, and with whom.
• You may consult books and published papers, but not solutions sets from other courses at Rutgers or elsewhere. If you use material from any other source (for homework, the final paper, or the presentation), make sure to give clear attribution.
• We will discuss whether the final projects will be independent or collaborative, depending on enrollment and student interest.
• Please familiarize yourself with the Rutgers policy on academic integrity.

Resources

Here are some web resources you may find useful:

SensusLinks to an external site.
SensusAccess allows students, faculty, staff, and alumni to automatically convert documents into a range of alternate media including audiobooks (MP3 and DAISY), e-books (EPUB, EPUB3, and Mobi) and digital Braille. The service can also be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG pictures, and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into more accessible and less tricky formats.

Disability ServicesLinks to an external site.
(848) 445-6800 / Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145, Livingston Campus, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Rutgers University welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, a student with a disability must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentationLinks to an external site.. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with a Letter of Accommodations. Share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. To begin this process, please complete the Registration formLinks to an external site. on the ODS web site.

Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services (CAPS)Links to an external site.
(848) 932-7884 / 17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
CAPS is a University mental health support service that includes counseling, alcohol and other drug assistance, and psychiatric services staffed by a team of professional within Rutgers Health services to support students’ efforts to succeed at Rutgers University. CAPS offers a variety of services that include: individual therapy, group therapy and workshops, crisis intervention, referral to specialists in the community and consultation and collaboration with campus partners.

Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA)Links to an external site.
(848) 932-1181 / 3 Bartlett Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance provides confidential crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy for victims of sexual and relationship violence and stalking to students, staff and faculty. To reach staff during office hours when the university is open or to reach an advocate after hours, call 848-932-1181.

A listLinks to an external site. of resources and policies, including Academic Integrity.