Don Luttermoser's ASTR-3415 Course Web Page

This web page has been set up for the students at ETSU taking ASTR-3415 Astrophysics. Links have been set up for the students to download the course notes, handouts that have been given out in class, and textbook's web page in PDF (Portable Document Format) (which requires Acrobat Reader to view).

Course Overview

Astrophysics covers the theoretical basis of what we know about the Universe. It is the study of astronomical phenomena through the techniques described by physics: mechanics, atomic and molecular physics (i.e., quantum mechanics), nuclear physics, relativity, and electromagnetism, to name only a few. Three main sections will be covered in this course: (1) stellar astrophysics, including stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors and nuclear fusion, and stellar evolution from birth to death; (2) galactic astronomy which covers the internal structure of the Milky Way -- our home galaxy; and (3) cosmology, the study of the origin (i.e., the Big Bang Theory), evolution, and structure of the Universe as a whole. The students will have a firm understanding of the basics of astrophysics at the conclusion of this course.

Course Syllabus

You can download the course syllabus at this link.

Course Notes Sections:

Attention students! Except for Section I of the notes, none of these postscript nor pdf section files contain figures (some may have a couple). I will be passing out those pages with figures during class.

I. Radiative Transfer and Atomic Structure   (Section 1)
II. Stellar Spectra and the H-R Diagram   (Section 2)
III. The Solar and Stellar Atmospheres   (Section 3)
IV. Stellar Interiors   (Section 4)
V. Stellar Evolution: Birth   (Section 5)
VI. Stellar Evolution: Main Sequence and Post-Main Sequence Evolution   (Section 6)
VII. Stellar Evolution: Old Age and Death   (Section 7)
VIII. The Theory of Relativity and Stellar Corpses   (Section 8)
IX. The Milky Way Galaxy   (Section 9)
X. Galaxies in the Universe and Hubble's Law   (Section 10)
XI. Gravitation, Cosmology, and the Big Bang   (Section 11)

Homework Assignments, Reviews, Computer Project, and Exams

Homework Assignments: Problem Set 1 (PS 1)
Problem Set 2 (PS 2)
Problem Set 3 (PS 3)
Problem Set 4 (PS 4)
Homework Solutions: Solution Set 1 (Soln 1)
Solution Set 2 (Soln. 2)   (hw3415ion.pro IDL procedure)
Solution Set 3 (Soln. 3)   ( hw3415mdot.pro IDL procedure)
Solution Set 4 (Soln. 4)
Exam Reviews: Exam 1 Review (Review 1)
Exam 2 Review (Review 2)
Exam 3 Review (Review 3)
Exams: Exam 1 (Exam 1)
Exam 2 (Exam 2)
Exam 3 (Exam 3)
Exam Solutions: Exam Solutions 1 (Exam Soln. 1)
Exam Solutions 2 (Exam Soln. 2)
Exam Solutions 3 (Exam Soln. 3)
Computer Project: Course Project Home Page

Web site of course textbook An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Carroll and Ostlie, 2007, Pearson Publishing Company, Inc..

Click here to go to Dr. Luttermoser's current courses page.
Click here to go to the Department of Physics and Astronomy homepage.

Last modified: April 15, 2019 by D.G. Luttermoser