Stellar atmospheres (PHY305) is a compulsory first-semester half-module course for third year undergraduates taking dual-honours Astronomy with Physics or Mathematics. PHY305 was new in 2003/4 so there are SEVEN past papers to date. Extra elements on the Solar atmosphere were added in 2007-08 once the level 2 `Sun & Moon' module was laid to rest. For each past paper, you'll need a formulae sheet (in nasty S.I. units). There will be a revision lecture to go through specific examples from last year's paper.

Aims and Objectives

This course aims to describe how astronomers obtain information about the properties of stars from their atmospheres. On completion of this half-module you should be able to understand how the interaction of radiation with matter affects the appearance of a stellar atmosphere, including the major sources of opacity. You will have a knowledge of the formation of spectral lines, line broadening mechanisms, plus an appreciation of the use of stellar continua and lines as atmospheric diagnostics. Details of course objectives are given here (pdf), while an outline syllabus is provided here (pdf).

Assessment

Two continuous assessment problem sheets each contribute 7.5% of the course (Deadlines: Problem Sheet 1 - Fri 4 Nov 11; Problem Sheet 2 - Fri 2 Dec 11), while a final 2 hour exam contributes the remaining 85%.

Text Books

Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics, Vol 2, E. Bohm-Vitense, 1989 (CUP)

Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres (3rd Ed)., D. Gray, 2005 (CUP)

For further reading on spectral classification, you are referred to:

Stars and their spectra, J.B. Kaler, 1997 (CUP)

Students unfamiliar with the notation used in atomic spectroscopy may wish to consult the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) document Atomic Spectroscopy which summarises basic ideas of notation and allowed/forbidden selection rules.

Lectures for 2011/12 session

Lectures are normally held in F28 on Monday (10:00-10:50) and Tuesdays (16:00-16:50) in the first semester.

Mon 26 Sep 11 - PHY305-1. Outline, Spectral classification PPT

Tue 27 Sep 11 - PHY305-2. Stars and their spectra PPT

Mon 03 Oct 11 - PHY305-3. Magnitudes, Blackbody radiation, Teff PPT

Tue 04 Oct 11 - PHY305-4. Saha-Boltzmann PPT

Mon 10 Oct 11 - PHY305-5. More Saha, Radiation terms and LTE PPT

Tue 11 Oct 11 - No lecture

Mon 17 Oct 11 - PHY305-6. Radiative transfer PPT

Tue 18 Oct 11 - PHY305-7 Limb darkening PPT

Mon 24 Oct 11 - PHY305-8 Grey Atmosphere PPT

Tue 25 Oct 11 - PHY305-9 Stellar Opacity I (hydrogen) PPT

Mon 31 Oct 11 - PHY305-10 Stellar Opacity II (He, metals, scattering) PPT

Tue 01 Nov 11 - PHY305-11 Measuring radii and Temperatures PPT

Mon 07 Nov 11 - Reading week

Tue 08 Nov 11 - Reading week

Mon 14 Nov 11 - PHY305-12 Pressure PPT

Tue 15 Nov 11 - PHY305-13 Spectral lines. I PPT

Mon 21 Nov 11 - PHY305-14 Spectral lines. II PPT

Tue 22 Nov 11 - PHY305-15 Photospheric abundances PPT

Mon 28 Nov 11 - PHY305-16 Non-LTE, Eddington limit PPT

Tue 29 Nov 11 - PHY305-17 Solar chromosphere & corona PPT

Mon 5 Dec 11 - PHY305-18 Winds from stars PPT

Tue 6 Dec 11 - PHY305-19 Hot Star winds PPT

Mon 12 Dec 11 - PHY305-20 Brown Dwarfs PPT