Astrophysical Processes

This course provides an introduction to the physical processes that underlie almost all astrophysical phenomena: radiation and fluid dynamics. The course is split evenly between those two topics, with an emphasis on basic physical processes rather than astrophysical applications. The radiation portion of the class covers the statistical mechanics of radiation fields, radiative transfer, plasma emission processes (free and synchotron radiation), and line formation. The fluid dynamics portion includes derivation of the theory of fluids from gas kinetics, calculation of flows in simple geometry, stability analysis, and supersonic flows and shocks. The overall goal is to provide a grounding in physics suitable for continuing research in astrophysics in more specialised classes at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Honours pathway option (HPO) Students in the HPO should have a WAM of at least 80%. Students who take this option will be offered an extension style HPO and required to critically assess scientific literature on topics related to radiative transfer or fluid dynamics. Students should inform course convener and opt-in to the HPO by submitting the relevant assessment. Once it has been submitted, it is not possible to opt-out. The HPO assessment will count toward 20% of the mark, with the weighting of problem sets reduced to 30%.