Interstellar and Circumstellar Matter

6 EC

Semester 2, period 4, 5

5214INCM6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. Rens Waters
Part of Master Astronomy and Astrophysics, track GRAPPA/Astro, year 1Master Physics and Astronomy, track Astronomy and Astrophysics, year 1

Course manual 2018/2019

Course content

The interstellar medium (ISM) plays an important role in the life cycle of stars and of galaxies: stars enrich the ISM through stellar winds and supernova explosions, while dense molecular clouds formed out of this enriched interstellar matter are the sites of new star and planet formation. The nature of distant galaxies can often only be revealed by the emission of the interstellar gas and dust. Despite the extremely low densities in the ISM, it shows a rich diversity of physical and chemical processes depending on density, temperature and environment. This leads to a variety of appearances: interstellar gas may either be ionized, neutral, or molecular. Part of the gas ejected by stars and supernovae may condense in small solid state particles which, once they arrive in interstellar space, are of great importance in controlling the thermal balance of the interstellar gas as well as in the process of star and planet formation. In regions of dense, cool gas a rich interstellar chemistry can develop, leading to the formation of complex organic molecules that play a role in the chemistry of life on Earth.  The course will treat the physics and chemistry of interstellar and circumstellar gas, and the diagnostics to derive quantitative information from observations.

Study materials

Syllabus

Other

  • Lecture notes

Objectives

At the end of the course the student

  • will have an understanding of the basic theoretical concepts and observational properties of interstellar matter in galaxies.
  • will be able to analyse observations of interstellar matter and derive physical properties from them. 

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Problem sets

Lectures, accompanied by exercises.

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Hoorcollege

24

Tentamen

3

Werkcollege

20

Zelfstudie

117

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article 1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    0.67 (67%)

    Tentamen

    0.33 (33%)

    werkcollege

    Written examination and worked-out problem sets. The worked-out problem sets must be handed in and will be marked. The average mark of the problem sets weighs as 1/3 of the end mark. The written exam at the end of the course counts for 2/3 of the end mark.  

    Inspection of assessed work

    Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1 introduction  
    2 interstellar gas (I)  
    3 interstellar gas (II)  
    4 free-free radiation  
    5 molecular spectroscopy (i)  
    6 molecular spectroscopy (II)  
    7 interstellar chemistry  
    8 Interstellar dust (I)  
    9 interstellar dust (II)  
    10 Star formation  
    11    
    12    
    13    
    14    
    15    
    16    

    Timetable

    The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

    Additional information

    Recommended prior knowledge: basic knowledge of radiative transfer is assumed

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. Rens Waters