Ast 8051 Galactic Astronomy

Fall 2009

MWF, 2:30 - 3:20 pm, Physics 210

Instructor : Roberta Humphreys

Office Hours : by appointment

This is a graduate level seminar course. It will be taught assuming a basic knowledge of stars and stellar evolution; magnitudes, colors, spectral types, color-mag diagrams (HR diagrams) and color-color diagrams. During the first few weeks I will lecture on background material and concepts. By the middle of the term, I will expect you to come to class prepared to participate in discussions of recent research developments and topics.

There is no required textbook. Recommended reading will be given in Galactic Astronomy by Mihalas and Binney and Galactic Astronomy by Binney and Merrifield. (M&B is the father of B&M, and some say it is easier to read.) These books plus other relevant books will be on reserve in the Reading Room (Physics 358) . By the middle of the term you will be expected to read assigned review articles and journal papers for the in-class discussions. I firmly believe that students should be familiar with the history of their field and will also assign historical and biographical articles as appropriate.

Course requirements: a term paper and oral presentation on a topic related to recent work in galactic astronomy and approved by me, participation in class discussions. Other small assignments may be given. No final exam.

Grades will be based on the above.

Course Outline

I. Introduction to the Milky Way as a Galaxy

20th century galactic structure -- our changing

view of the home galaxy

II. Basic Components and Stellar Populations

III. Kinematics -- Galactic rotation and stellar motions

IV. New-fangled star counts and galactic models

V. The Milky Way in the 21st Century

Galactic center and Bulge

Disk and bar in the Disk

Halo and Thick Disk

the role of mergers

VI. Galaxy Formation -- the role of dark matter in the MW

VI. Student Presentations