Astrophysics / PHYS-UA 150 / Fall 2016 / Syllabus
This course teaches astrophysics at a level appropriate for undergraduate physics majors. Classes
meet Monday and Wednesday 9:30am to 10:45am, in Room 264 of Meyer Hall. The textbook is
Principles of Astrophysics, by Charles Keeton.
Prof. Blanton’s office is Room 523 of Meyer, and his email is blanton@nyu.edu. Office hours are
Wednesday 12:30pm to 1:45pm.
The teaching assistant is Nitya Doddamane (nityamd@nyu.edu). Recitation is Wednesday 2:00pm
to 3:15pm, in Room 264 of Meyer Hall.
Grades are based on problem sets (35%), two exams during the term (35%), one final (20%), and
class participation (10%).
The class will be participatory. Please read the assignments before attending class; you will be
asked questions on the material.
The classes will proceed as follows (subject to revision!). The problem sets will be due on each
Friday of the indicated weeks.
–2–
Sep. 7
Sep. 12
Sep. 14
Sep. 19
Sep. 21
Sep. 26
Sep. 28
Oct. 3
Oct. 5
Oct. 10
Oct. 12
Oct. 17
Oct. 19
Oct. 24
Oct. 26
Oct. 31
Nov. 2
Nov. 7
Nov. 9
Nov. 14
Nov. 16
Nov. 21
Nov. 23
Nov. 28
Nov. 30
Dec. 5
Dec. 7
Dec. 12
Dec. 13
Dec. 14
Dec. 19
Introduction
Celestial Mechanics
Gravitational One-body Problem
Gravitational Two-body Problem
Applications of Two-body Problem
Tidal Effects
Spiral Galaxies
Spiral Galaxies
Exam #1
No class: Fall Break
Gravitational Lensing
Gravitational Lensing Applications
Planetary Atmospheres
Planetary Temperatures
Planetary Temperatures
Stellar Atmospheres
Nuclear Fusion
Fusion in Stars
Exam #2
Stellar Structure
Stellar Evolution
Stellar Evolution
No class: Thanksgiving Break
White Dwarfs
Neutron Stars
Black Holes
Hubble Expansion
Hubble Expansion
Charting the Expansion
Telescopes & Observations
FINAL EXAM 8:00am–9:50am MEYER 264
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4.1
Ch.4.2–4.3
Ch. 5
Ch. 7.1–7.2
Ch. 7.3–7.4
Ch. 9.1
Ch. 9.2–9.4
Ch. 12
Ch. 13.1–13.3
Ch. 13.4–13.5
Ch. 14
Ch. 15.1–15.2
Ch. 15.3–15.4
Ch. 16.1–16.2
Ch. 16.3
Ch. 16.4
Ch. 17.1–17.2
Ch.17.3
—
—
—
Ch. 18
—
PS #1 due
PS #2 due
PS #3 due
PS #4 due
PS #5 due
PS #6 due
PS #7 due
PS #8 due
PS #9 due
PS #10 due
NOTE EXTRA CLASS!!
PS #11 due