Interstellar medium

Uitgebreide vaknaam	Interstellar medium
Leerdoelen	At the end of the course, the student is able to: 1. explain how different physical processes and initial conditions produce different ISM properties, including gas and dust temperatures, radiation emission, and gas dynamics; 2. describe the heating and cooling of rarefied gases: tell the main mechanisms that influence the gas temperature, and explain under which conditions these mechanisms play a role; 3. connect different ISM conditions with the observed properties in astronomical objects (e.g. analyse different ISM spectral line indicators); 4. discuss which ISM conditions can lead to the process of star formation; 5. apply knowledge acquired in lectures to solve numerical problems of increasing complexity on ISM properties and conditions, with a proper handling of relevant physical units.
Omschrijving	The interstellar medium (ISM) is the place where material from old stars gets recycled into new generations of stars. The ISM thus plays a central role in the evolution of galaxies and of matter in the Universe. This course teaches the concepts necessary to understand the ISM: the physics of rarefied gases under various conditions. These concepts have applications in all branches of astrophysics.
Uren per week
Onderwijsvorm	Hoorcollege (LC), Werkcollege (T) (32 LC, 16 T, 92 self study)
Toetsvorm	Opdracht (AST), Schriftelijk tentamen (WE) (30% WE, 50% WE, 20% AST)
Vaksoort	bachelor
Coördinator	Prof. Dr. I.E.E. Kamp
Docent(en)	Prof. Dr. I.E.E. Kamp
Verplichte literatuur	Titel Auteur ISBN Prijs access to slides and handwritten notes as Handouts: supplement - provided via Nestor Inga Kamp Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium; Springer New York Walter Maciel 978-1-4614-3766-6 Book (chapters) see Nestor page Inga Kamp
Entreevoorwaarden	The course unit assumes prior knowledge acquired from Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics, Bachelor in Physics/Astronomy.
Opmerkingen	The final mark is obtained using the following weights: homework hand-in 25%, written exam 75%. A minimum of 4.5 on the exam is required to pass the course.
Opgenomen in	Opleiding Jaar Periode Type BSc Courses for Exchange Students: Astronomy - Physics - Energy & Environment - semester II a Astronomy BSc Sterrenkunde  (Major Sterrenkunde) 3 semester II a verplicht