PHYSICS 233: Interstellar Medium

This course covers the basic physical processes that regulate the state of diffuse gas in (and around) galaxies. Topics covered include -- Phases of the ISM; Ionization and Thermal Equilibrium of Gaseous Nebulae; Absorption Line Studies; Spectral Line Formation; Properties of Grains and Extinction; Molecular Gas and Star Formation; Supernova Explosions and Hydrodynamic Shocks. The goal is to develop the background required to understand current research on the interplay between star formation and cosmic gas.

Web page: http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/~phys233/w2010

General Texts:
Astrophysics of the Diffuse Universe, Dopita & Sutherland
Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae, Osterbrock
Physical Processes in the ISM, Spitzer
Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure I-III, by Herzberg
Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, Rybicki & Lightman
The Physics of the Interstellar Medium, Dyson & Williams
The Physics and Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium, Tielens


Review Articles:
Interstellar Processes, 1987, eds Hollenbach & Thronson (Kluwer, Dordrecht)
The Evolution of the Interstellar Medium, 1990, ed Blitz (ASP Conference Series Vol. 12)
The Physics of the Interstellar Medium and Intergalactic Medium, 1995, eds Ferrara et al. (ASP Conference Series 80) \hfill}
Molecules in Astrophysics: Probes and Processes, 1997, IAU Symposium 178, ed. van Dishoeck (Kluwer, Dordrecht) \hfill}

Grading:
Homeworks 20%
Class Presentation I 10%
Class Presentation II 10%
Class Presentation III 10%
Class Presentation IV 10%
Final Exam 40%

Policies:
Attend class and participate in discussions. Turn in the homework on or before the due date.

Units in Astronomy:
Astrophysical Formulae by Lang
Allen's Astrophysical Quantities ed. Cox
1 pc = 3.0856 x 10¹⁸ cm
m_AB = -2.5 log f_ \nu - 48.60
1 M_ {\odot} = 1.989 x 10³³ g
1 L_{\odot} = 3.826 x 10³³ erg/s

Useful Astro Surf Sites: