Astronomy 465a/565a, Fall 2011, TT 9:00-10.15
Prof. Pieter van Dokkum
Overview of cosmic history from the formation of the first star to the
present day, focusing on direct observations of the high-redshift
universe.
Prerequisites: MATH 120a or b, PHYS 210b, and one astronomy course
numbered above 200.
Not Cr/D/F - Group IV(N) - QR - Sc (34)
Will meet during reading period. No book will be used; review articles
etc. will accompany the notes you make in class.
Click here for PDFs of slides
Tentative schedule
Date
Topic
Thu Sept 1
Introduction and overview
Basics of stars, galaxies, and cosmology
Tue Sept 6
Stellar evolution
Thu Sept 8
Basic properties of galaxies
Tue Sept 13
Relations between galaxies
Homework 1 (due Sept 20)
Thu Sept 15
Cosmology basics
Tue Sept 20
Review session
Modeling the Universe
Thu Sept 22
Evolution of density fluctuations
Tue Sept 27
Properties of dark matter halos
Thu Sept 29
Adding baryons: the first stars
Tue Oct 4
Semi-analytical models
Thu Oct 6
Hydrodynamical models
Homework 2 (due Oct 13)
Tue Oct 11
No class
Thu Oct 13
No class
Observing the Universe
Tue Oct 18
Spectra and spectral energy distributions
Thu Oct 20
Measuring redshifts and physical properties of galaxies
Tue Oct 25
No class
Thu Oct 27
No class
Tue Nov 1
David Wake: Selection techniques and selection effects
Thu Nov 3
LBGs and the cosmic star formation history
Tue Nov 8
Evolution of luminosity, color, and mass
Homework 3 (due Nov 15)
Thu Nov 10
Evolution of the mass function
Tue Nov 15
Presentations:
Ana: weak lensing
John: submm galaxies
Duncan: supernova feedback
Thu Nov 17
Evolution of the color-mass relation
Fri Nov 18
(Note: Friday class!)
Presentations:
Tony: TMT
Arthur: ?
Joel: cold accretion flows
Tue Nov 29
Evolution of passive galaxies
Thu Dec 1
Evolution of star forming galaxies
Fri Dec 2
(Note: Friday class!)
Presentations:
Maria Jose: AGN feedback
Allison: strong lensing
Ilya: ALMA
Tue Dec 6
The role of Active Galactic Nuclei
Thu Dec 8
Future telescopes