Description
Outline and Aims:
The aims of this module are to:
- teach the basic physics of the interstellar gas in its diffuse, ionised and molecular phases, together with the properties of interstellar dust
- develop a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the microscopic processes that are occurring within and controlling the macroscopic processes of the interstellar medium
- apply this to describe quantitatively the physical processes involved in the process of star formation and in the impact of stars on their environments.
Teaching and Learning Methodology:
This module is delivered via weekly lectures supplemented by a series of workshops and additional discussion.
In addition to timetabled lecture hours, it is expected that students engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form, for example, of practicing example questions and further reading in textbooks and online.
Indicative Topics:
Introduction: History; Components of the ISM; Interstellar magnetic fields
Gas Dynamics: Heating and cooling: hydrodynamics, sound waves; Shocks: cooling processes in shocked gases/isothermal shocks
HII Regions, Stellar Winds and Supernovae: Ionised nebulae/HII regions & photoionised gas; the evolution of ionised regions; Stellar winds, supernovae, and their effects on the ISM
Star Formation: Hydrostatic equilibrium, free-fall & induced star formation; Observational signatures of star formation; Gas flows from star-forming regions; Circumstellar and protoplanetary disks: the interstellar magnetic field
Dust: Review of interstellar extinction & reddening; Cosmic dust & depletions; Formation & destruction of dust; Overview of grain components in the ISM: gas ratios, grain temperatures & size distribution; Scattering, absorption & grain charge
Molecules: Brief revision of molecular spectra; Molecule formation (dark clouds); The chemistry of H2: chemistry in diffuse clouds; Molecular gas in the intergalactic medium
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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