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| AST 352K · Stellar Astronomy |
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My bias in this course? I regard AST 352K as a vital link between the basic, often elegant physics and mathematics that you
have ingested at UT for the past two-three years, and the real, often messy world of astronomical research. Astrophysics combines
elements from all areas of physics to offer coherent theoretical models for how the solar system, galaxy, and universe are constructed
and how they have and will evolve. If you are looking for that in this course, forget it.
Theoretical astrophysics cannot really derive
rational models for an object without appealing to observational astronomy. I am not an astrophysicist as the term is usually
meant (that is, I am not a theorist). I am an observational astronomer, and proud of it. And observational astronomy is what you will find covered
in this course. Not how is the universe constructed, but how does one practically assemble the basic data about particular astronomical
objects (stars) that can be gainfully used in constructing the story of the universe?
So forget cookbook problems? Not entirely, but we will deal as much as possible with real data from the literature that have
been obtained at various astronomical facilities over the past decades, and which now are readily available for study. Many of the homework
problems will encourage you to seek data from basic astronomical catalogs. These sources can be found on web sites and in our Peridier
Library, to which we intend to introduce you if you haven't seen it already. However, a serious word needs to be given here. The
Peridier Library is NOT part of the general UT library system, but is instead a part of the department and observatory research facility.
It is intended solely for the use of our faculty, staff, and research students. Therefore, you must use this library moderately, quietly and with
respect for others. It is NOT to be used as a study hall, but rather is available to help you by providing materials for this course. Think of your use of
the Peridier Library as a guest membership at a club, and please do not abuse it or overstay your welcome.
Homework, and your approach to it? The homework sets are the keys to what I want to get done in this course. I intend to be
(perhaps irritatingly) vague in some of the assignments that I give to you. This is admitted at the beginning to be totally deliberate. Real
astronomical research usually does not admit cookbook approaches to interesting problems, and I want you to get used to that. Such an
approach is also a signal on my part that I encourage interactions with you outside class. Feel free to discuss with me the course material,
problem sets, or any other astronomical topic that comes to mind. On the first page I give the formal office hours, but you of course may
set up appointments with me at other rational times of day. Notice also that I give my work number, email address (to which I attend regularly),
and my home phone number. I would not give out my home phone number (OK, it's true that we are the only Snedens in the Austin telephone
directory) if I did not expect calls in the evening whenever you need to. I want to help you do well in this course, but I need you to make
contact! Don't be shy: remember that the truly stupid question is the unasked one.
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