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Graduate Student Adviser: Kyle M. Cudworth, AAC 115, 702-5837
Departmental Secretary: AAC 118, 702-8203
The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics believes that the proper
foundation for advanced work in astronomy and astrophysics is a program of
undergraduate study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in physics.
Accordingly, the University of Chicago does not grant a B.A. degree in
astronomy or astrophysics. However, students enrolled in the physics program
with a view to undertaking graduate work in astronomy and astrophysics are
strongly encouraged to take Astronomy 213-214-215. Tutorial and research
courses are also available, as well as more informal opportunities for work and
study in the department.
KYLE M. CUDWORTH, Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics
DOUGLAS DUNCAN, Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics; Director of Astronomy, Adler Planetarium
JOSHUA A. FRIEMAN, Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics; Head, Theoretical Astrophysics Group, Fermi National Accelerator
Laboratory
DOYAL A. HARPER, JR., Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics,
Yerkes Observatory, and the College
L. M. HOBBS, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the
College
STEPHEN M. KENT, Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics
EDWARD KIBBLEWHITE, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
Enrico Fermi Institute
EDWARD W. KOLB, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Enrico
Fermi Institute, and the College
ARIEH KöNIGL, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
Enrico Fermi Institute
RICHARD G. KRON, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the
College; Director, Yerkes Observatory
DON Q. LAMB, JR., Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Enrico
Fermi Institute, and the College
STEPHAN MEYER, Associate Professor, Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics
and Physics, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College
RICHARD H. MILLER, Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics and the College
TAKESHI OKA, Robert A. Millikan Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of
Chemistry and Astronomy & Astrophysics, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the
College
PATRICK E. PALMER, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
the College
ROBERT ROSNER, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Enrico
Fermi Institute, and the College; Chairman, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics
DAVID N. SCHRAMM, Louis Block Professor in the Physical Sciences; Professor,
Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics, Enrico Fermi
Institute, Committee on the Conceptual Foundations of Science, and the
College
NOEL M. SWERDLOW, Professor, Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
History, Committee on the Conceptual Foundations of Science, and the College
JAMES W. TRURAN, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
Enrico Fermi Institute
MICHAEL S. TURNER, Professor, Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
Physics, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College
PETER O. VANDERVOORT, Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and
the College; Master, Physical Sciences Collegiate Division; Associate Dean,
Division of the Physical Sciences and the College
DONALD G. YORK, Horace B. Horton Professor, Department of Astronomy &
Astrophysics, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College
200. Tutorial in Astronomy and Astrophysics. PQ: 100-level physical
sciences, physics, or chemistry sequence and written consent of instructor.
Class limited to six students. May be taken either for a letter grade or for
P/N or P/F. Readings on topics in astronomy and astrophysics
under the supervision of a faculty member. Students meet with the instructor in
groups of one to three for approximately two hours per week to discuss readings
on mutually agreed-upon topics. Staff. Summer, Autumn, Winter,
Spring.
Go to top of document 202. The Origin and Evolution of the Universe (=PhySci 202). PQ:
100-level physical sciences, physics, geophysical sciences, or chemistry
sequence. This course discusses how the laws of nature allow us to
understand the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe.
After a review of the history of cosmology, we see how discoveries in the
twentieth century--the expansion of the universe and the cosmic background
radiation--form the basis of the hot big-bang model. Within the context of the
big bang, we learn how our universe evolved from the primeval fireball. D.
Harper. Autumn.
204. Comets and Asteroids (=PhySci 204). PQ: 100-level physical sciences
or chemistry sequence. Comets have always attracted interest because of
their strange--almost eerie--appearance in the night sky. In contrast,
asteroids, which are so faint that the brightest was not discovered until 1801,
seemed to be less important members of the solar system--until we realized that
one could wipe out life on earth. We know that because of their small size,
comets and asteroids carry with them important clues about the formation of the
solar system, clues that were long ago erased on the planets by weather. In
this course, we take a somewhat historical approach to the study of comets and
the class of asteroids that may derive from them. P. Palmer.
Winter.
213. Origin and Evolution of the Solar System (=GeoSci 213). PQ: Consent
of instructor; physical chemistry helpful. Representative topics include
abundance and origin of the elements; formation, condensation, and age of the
solar system; meteorites and the historical record of the solar system they
preserve; comets and asteroids; the planets and their satellites; temperatures
and atmospheres of the planets; and the origin of the earth's lithosphere,
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. L. Grossman. Winter. L.
214. Stars and Stellar Systems (=GeoSci 214). PQ: Phys 123, 133, or 143.
An introduction to the astrophysics of stars and stellar systems. Emphasis
is placed on the basic physical principles in relation to astronomy. Topics
covered are observational and theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams,
structure and evolution of stars, binary stars, star clusters, and end states
of stars such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The
Chandrasekhar limit is derived from first principle and applied to discussions
of various topics. L. Hobbs. Autumn.
215. The Physical Universe (=GeoSci 215). PQ: Astron 214; or Phys 123,
133, or 143, and consent of instructor. The laws of physics, as they are
discovered in terrestrial laboratories, are applied on the scales of time and
distance that are required in astronomy. The logical and philosophical steps in
this process are traced from the laboratory to the lunar orbit, to the solar
system, to the galaxy as a whole, and finally, to the observable universe. In
particular, physical laws are applied in attempts to understand the structures
and evolution of galaxies, quasars, clusters of galaxies, and the universe at
large. D. Lamb. Spring.
299. Participation in Research. PQ: Third- or fourth-year standing and
written consent of instructor. May be taken either for a letter grade or for
P/N or P/F. Students are assigned to work in the research
group of a member of the faculty. Participation in research may take the form
of independent work on a small project or assistance to an advanced graduate
student or faculty member in his or her research. A written report must be
submitted at the end of the quarter. Students may register for this course for
as many quarters as they wish; they need not work with the same faculty member
each time. Staff. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring. L: Staff. Summer, Autumn,
Winter, Spring.
Students with adequate preparation may register for the following
graduate-level courses with the consent of the instructor.
301-302-303-304. Astrophysics I, II, III, IV. PQ: Consent of instructor
and a minimum of one year of physics; normally students should have completed
or be enrolled concurrently in Phys 321-322-323 or 341-342-343. This
course is designed to provide a firm foundation in the principles of
astrophysics (such as hydrostatic equilibrium of a self-gravitating object,
radiative transfer, and radiation from a diffuse gas) needed to carry out
modern astrophysical research. Many astrophysical topics are discussed, but the
emphasis is on elucidating general principles rather than attempting to survey
the field. During the academic year, participation in a weekly seminar on
current topics in astrophysical research is also required. J. Frieman,
Autumn; L. Hobbs, Winter; A. Königl, S. Kent, Spring.
313. Extragalactic Studies. PQ: Consent of instructor. Topics
include galaxies and intergalactic space, determination of Hubble's law,
peculiar extragalactic objects such as radio galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, and
quasars. R. Miller. Autumn.
315. Dynamics I (Fluids). PQ: Consent of instructor. This course
examines the principles of hydrodynamics and hydromagnetics. Topics also
include equilibrium and stability of fluid systems in astrophysics, waves,
shocks, and turbulence. Not offered 1995-96; will be offered
1996-97.
316. Dynamics II (Particles). PQ: Consent of instructor. This course
examines the dynamics of collisionless plasmas and stellar systems. Stochastic
processes and kinetic equations, dynamics of galaxies and star clusters, and
astrophysical plasmas are topics that are explored. Not offered 1995-96;
will be offered 1996-97.
320. Relativistic Astrophysics. PQ: Consent of instructor. This
course covers topics in special relativity, including the general theory of
relativity and its experimental tests, and applications to astrophysical
problems such as super-massive stars, black holes, relativistic star clusters,
and gravitational radiation. D. Lamb. Winter.
321. Cosmology. PQ: Consent of instructor. The standard big-bang
cosmological model, together with its tests, and a discussion of nonstandard
models are covered. Specific topics covered include the Robertson-Walker
metric, the 3K background, big-bang nucleosynthesis, the determination of the
age of the universe, and galaxy formation, as well as other current problems in
cosmology. D. Schramm. Spring.
355. Radiation Measurement. PQ: Consent of instructor. Topics
include methods of detection and measurements of radiation important in
astronomy; theory of detectors in the X-ray, far-ultraviolet, optical,
infrared, and radio regions of the spectrum; and the potential of various
detectors for astronomical measurements. K. Cudworth. Autumn.
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Astronomy
Academic Executive Officer: Angela V. Olinto, AAC 146, 702-8206
and Astrophysics
Faculty
JAMES W. CRONIN, Professor, Departments of Physics, Astronomy &
Astrophysics, Enrico Fermi Institute, and the College
Courses
In the following course descriptions, L refers to courses with
laboratory.
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