Stars and Planets

Module 0 > >

— Course description —

Chris Ormel

Stars and Planets

Instructor: Prof. Chris Ormel
MongManWei building (south wing), 6th floor, S609A
chrisormel@tsinghua.edu.cn

Teaching Assistant: Yu Wang (王雨)
wang-y21@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn

Time: Thursday 19:20—21:45

Course layout

  • Lectures
  • Problem sets discussion
  • Student presentations on special topic (final weeks)
  • (Student reports)
  • Exam

communication

  • Tsinghua Cloud
    • course announcement (e.g., homework deadlines)
    • course material (problem sets, pdf printouts, data files)
    • do bookmark this site!
  • WeChat group
    • use for notifications and questions
    • use English; we will ignore any messages in Chinese
  • WebLearning (learn.tsinghua.edu.cn/)
    • for homework returns

      course number is 40920013-90

  • Email
    • homework return (if system is offline)
    • for office hour appointments
  • html Lectures notes
please join the WeChat group (if not already)

7 Modules

  1. Light
    How light plays its role in Astronomy

    distances, radiation, magnitudes, HR-diagram

  2. Exoplanets
  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
  4. Birth
  5. Evolution
  6. Atmospheres
  7. Planet Dynamics

 

7 Modules

  1. Light
  2. Exoplanets
    How are the >5200 detected exoplanets found?

    planet detection techiques: radial velocity method, transits, microlensing, astrometry, direct imaging

  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
  4. Birth
  5. Evolution
  6. Atmospheres
  7. Planet Dynamics

 

7 Modules

  1. Light
  2. Exoplanets
  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
    How does material behave in stars?

    Equations of States: degenerate matter, hydrostatic balance, polytropes
    Nuclear fusion: energy reservoirs, proton-proton & CNO cycle, nucleosynthesis

  4. Birth
  5. Evolution
  6. Atmospheres
  7. Planet Dynamics

 

7 Modules

  1. Light
  2. Exoplanets
  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
  4. Birth
    How do stars and planets form?

    Star formation: virial theorem, Jeans mass, initial mass function, Eddington Luminosity, Dispersion relationship, gravitational instability
    Planet formation: protoplanetary disks, disk instability and core accretion, gravitational focusing and runaway growth

  5. Evolution
  6. Atmospheres
  7. Planet Dynamics

 

7 Modules

  1. Light
  2. Exoplanets
  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
  4. Birth
  5. Evolution
    How do stars (and planets) evolve and meet their end?

    mean free path and opacity, energy transport, stellar structure equations, stellar evolution, features in HR-diagram, homology, burning sequences, nucleosynthesis

  6. Atmospheres
  7. Planet Dynamics

 

7 Modules

  1. Light
  2. Exoplanets
  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
  4. Birth
  5. Evolution
  6. Atmospheres
    How do the observational properties of stars and planets come about?

    Electronic/vibrational, and rotational transitions, H-atom, ionization, greenhouse

  7. Planet Dynamics

 

7 Modules

  1. Light
  2. Exoplanets
  3. Matter under astrophysical conditions
  4. Birth
  5. Evolution
  6. Atmospheres
  7. Planet Dynamics
    How do planets move about?

    Kepler's laws, Three body problem, Guiding center approximation, Tides, Resonances

 

Material

  1. Books
    • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics

      2nd edition; Carroll & Ostlie (2006); Main reference book for this course (but not all chapters will be discussed!)

    • Stellar Structure and Evolution

      (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library) 3 STG Edition by Kippenhahn, Rudolf, Weigert, Alfred published by Springer (1996)

    • Solar System Dynamics

      by Murray & Dermott, Cambridge University Press (1999)

    • The Astrophysics of Planet Formation

      by Armitage, Cambridge University Press (2009)

Material

  1. Books
    • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
  2. Html lecture notes
    • Available from my homepage
    • Tested with Firefox, Chrome/Chromium, and MS Edge browsers. Download them if necessary

      MS Internet Explorer is not supported!

Material

  1. Books
    • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
  2. Html lecture notes
    • Available from my homepage
    • Tested with Firefox, Chrome/Chromium, and MS Edge browsers. Download them if necessary
    • Mind nested pages !!
nested page. Press <down> button to continue with the nest!
nested pages have ended. Press <right> to continue with the next topic

Material

  1. Books
    • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
  2. Html lecture notes
    • Available from my homepage
    • Tested with Firefox, Chrome/Chromium, and MS Edge browsers. Download them if necessary
    • Mind nested pages !!
    • read all the text. You should for sure learn all magenta-highlighted terms!

      Don't forget to read the small fonts. I may skip some details in class, but it may help you to comprehend the material when you reviewing it.

Material

  1. Books
    • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
  2. Html lecture notes
    • Available from my homepage
    • Tested with Firefox, Chrome/Chromium, and MS Edge browsers. Download them if necessary
    • Mind nested pages !!
  3. Blackboard

    You need to be able to follow, understand, and derive yourself the material presented on the blackboard.

    Some material may not be covered in the book! So, do attend the lectures!

E = mc2

Material

  1. Books
    • An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
  2. Html lecture notes
    • Available from my homepage
    • Tested with Firefox, Chrome/Chromium, and MS Edge browsers. Download them if necessary
    • Mind nested pages !!
  3. Blackboard

    You need to be able to follow, understand, and derive yourself the material presented on the blackboard.

  4. Online resources (www) and (especially) Wikipedia

    Wikipedia is today's Library of Alexandria. A true gem, indispensable to the modern scientist.
    I have tried to place references (links) as much as possible. You should do the same in your reporting.

units

Like most astronomers, I will use the cgs (centimeter-gram-seconds) or Gaussian unit system. The most radical difference with SI units is that the Gauss unit system omits proportionality constants in the electromagnetic laws. For example, the Coulomb law becomes

That is, without the proportionality constant of

The drawback of this choice is that other electromagnetic laws — notably Maxwell's equations — also look different. But we won't use them in this course

In your problem sets, you are welcome to use SI units. But take care and be consistent!

unitcgs unitabbrev.SI unit
lengthcentimetercm10-2m
timesecondss1 s
massgramg10-3 kg
energyergerg10-7 J
pressureerg cm-310-1 Pa
magnetic-BGaussG10-4 T
cgs units

fundamental and astronomical constants in cgs and SI


constantsymbolcgs valueunitSI valueunit
Astronomical unitau1.496×1013cm1.496×1011m
Atomic mass constantmu1.661×10-24g1.661×10-27kg
Boltzmann constantk1.381×10−16erg K-11.381×10−23J K-1
Electron massme9.109×10−28g9.109×10−31kg
Electron volteV1.602×10−12erg1.602×10−19J
Elementary chargee4.803×10−10cm3/2 g1/2 s-11.602×10−19C
Gravitational constantG6.674×10−8cm3 g-1 s-26.674×10−11m3 kg-1 s-2
Planck constanth6.626×10−27erg s6.626×10−34J s
Solar luminosityL⊙3.828×1033erg s-13.828×1026W
Solar radiusR⊙6.957×1010cm6.957×108m
Solar massM⊙1.988×1033g1.988×1030kg
Speed of light in vacuumc2.998×1010cm s-12.998×108m s-1
Some (fundamental) constants in cgs and SI units

grading

grading

Grade = 0.3 PS + 0.2 Exam/quiz
               +0.1 max( Exam/quiz , in-class Quiz )
               +0.2 max( Presentation,[Report], PS )
               +0.2 max2( Presentation,[Report], PS )

Grading breakdown

  • Problem sets (30%)
  • Exam (20%)

    multiple choice questions

  • In class quizzes (10%)

    you may substitute your score for the Exam (Quiz part) here

  • The best of (20%):
    • Presentation

      everyone must give a presentation on your project choice. Scheduled for the final 2 weeks

    • Report

      This is optional. You can try to improve your project score

    • Problem Sets
  • The second-best of the three above items (20%):

grading

Problem sets

  • About 6 in total. Typically 1 for each module.

    PS will be distributed on the day when the module is first discussed in class. They must be returned one week after the last day the module has been covered in class

  • Collaboration is allowed, but hand in by yourself

    You should be able to motivate and reproduce your solution independently. We will be very strict on academic misconduct. Do NOT blindly copy homework from others. Do NOT conduct in plagiarism when writing reports. Always state references.

  • Hand in solutions as pdf or hand-written.
    • Scans/photos/MS-word docs are not allowed! Write in English.
    • Those that typeset their PS beautifully (text, equations, and figures) will be awarded a +10pt bonus;
    • Our strong suggestion: use Latex/Overleaf
    • Upload pdf solutions to WebLearning
    • Strict deadlines. Late returns are subject to a   —10pt penalty/day

problem sets tips and examples

  • label figures (axes!) appropriately
  • when using LaTeX, use equation environment

    \begin{equation} E=mc^2 \end{equation}

  • do not insert screenshots of source code into your answer
  • write down the symbolic expression first, then fill in numbers.

    No need to write down the numerical values if these have already been stated.

    When asked ("What is", "Give the value", etc...) do give the numerical value at the end!

  • state the units
  • Give only 1 answer!

    Suggestion: start with your primary answer and state additional arguments in brackets. (We will ignore them when they are wrong)

(anonymous) — This figure is a screenshot (resolution too low!), there are no axis labels (and units!), the aspect ratio is also unnatural.

problem sets tips and examples

  • label figures (axes!) appropriately
  • when using LaTeX, use equation environment

    \begin{equation} E=mc^2 \end{equation}

  • do not insert screenshots of source code into your answer
  • write down the symbolic expression first, then fill in numbers.

    No need to write down the numerical values if these have already been stated.

    When asked ("What is", "Give the value", etc...) do give the numerical value at the end!

  • state the units
  • Give only 1 answer!

    Suggestion: start with your primary answer and state additional arguments in brackets. (We will ignore them when they are wrong)

(anonymous) — Axis are appropriately labeled, apt choice of logarithmic y-scale, multiple lines in single plot.

problem sets tips and examples

  • label figures (axes!) appropriately
  • when using LaTeX, use equation environment

    \begin{equation} E=mc^2 \end{equation}

  • do not insert screenshots of source code into your answer
  • write down the symbolic expression first, then fill in numbers.

    No need to write down the numerical values if these have already been stated.

    When asked ("What is", "Give the value", etc...) do give the numerical value at the end!

  • state the units
  • Give only 1 answer!

    Suggestion: start with your primary answer and state additional arguments in brackets. (We will ignore them when they are wrong)

(anonymous) — font sizes are not in proportion! Super ugly. No bonus points!
(anonymous) — equation runs off the page. No bonus points!

problem sets tips and examples

  • label figures (axes!) appropriately
  • when using LaTeX, use equation environment

    \begin{equation} E=mc^2 \end{equation}

  • do not insert screenshots of source code into your answer
  • write down the symbolic expression first, then fill in numbers.

    No need to write down the numerical values if these have already been stated.

    When asked ("What is", "Give the value", etc...) do give the numerical value at the end!

  • state the units
  • Give only 1 answer!

    Suggestion: start with your primary answer and state additional arguments in brackets. (We will ignore them when they are wrong)

(anonymous) — We will ignore mathematica screenshots. So do not add them to your homework. Just say "the integral numerically evaluates to XXX" is enough.

problem sets tips and examples

  • label figures (axes!) appropriately
  • when using LaTeX, use equation environment

    \begin{equation} E=mc^2 \end{equation}

  • do not insert screenshots of source code into your answer
  • write down the symbolic expression first, then fill in numbers.

    No need to write down the numerical values if these have already been stated.

    When asked ("What is", "Give the value", etc...) do give the numerical value at the end!

  • state the units
  • Give only 1 answer!

    Suggestion: start with your primary answer and state additional arguments in brackets. (We will ignore them when they are wrong)

"
first give the symbolic expression, then fill in numbers (like done here)
.. no need to write down value of Planck constant
.. not necessary to state value of I if previously stated, or say:
where I=... has been used
where the above value of I has been adopted, etc.
(anonymous) — Clear and to the point. Values of variable (T, EI) had already been given earlier (no need to repeat) or are fundamental constants (h, k, me).

matplotlib tutorial

for dummies

—By Yu Wang—

TA Yu Wang will provide a tutorial how to use python/matplotlib to create publication-quality ready plots.


The tutorial is voluntarily but strongly recommended if you do not know how to make plots. In that case:

  • See if you can do the assignments yourself
  • Let Yu Wang know when you are available

    Yu Wang will send out a WeChat questionnaire on this

research topic list

Topics should be in the field of stars- and planets and be complementary to the course material. The goal is to learn something new and to present your insights to the group.

Procedure:

  • Choose a topic

    From the list or — better even — propose a topic yourself. Contact TA Yu Wang to register your topic.

  • It would be good when you focus your investigation around one research question
  • Present your results in a 15 min presentation (and 5 min questions).

    The aim of your presentation is for us to learn something! Therefore, don't "overfill" your slides with information and provide a clear context.

  • Write your results in a scientific report

    • this part is optional
    • in English, at most XXX words, submit in PDF format
    • ensure academic honesty (state your references!)

Star related

  • Astroseismology
  • Brown Dwarfs
  • Common envelope evolution
  • Initial mass function
  • Population III stars
  • Pulsars
  • The most massive stars
  • Supernova 1987A

You are encouraged to propose your own topic!

research topic list

Topics should be in the field of stars- and planets and be complementary to the course material. The goal is to learn something new and to present your insights to the group.

Procedure:

  • Choose a topic

    From the list or — better even — propose a topic yourself. Contact TA Yu Wang to register your topic.

  • It would be good when you focus your investigation around one research question
  • Present your results in a 15 min presentation (and 5 min questions).

    The aim of your presentation is for us to learn something! Therefore, don't "overfill" your slides with information and provide a clear context.

  • Write your results in a scientific report

    • this part is optional
    • in English, at most XXX words, submit in PDF format
    • ensure academic honesty (state your references!)

Solar-system related

  • Age of Sun, Earth, solar system
  • Formation of the Moon (or other satellites)
  • Giant planet interiors
  • Planet Nine
  • Rings (origin/evolution)
  • The carbon cycle
  • The Fate of the solar system
  • The Kuiper belt

You are encouraged to propose your own topic!

research topic list

Topics should be in the field of stars- and planets and be complementary to the course material. The goal is to learn something new and to present your insights to the group.

Procedure:

  • Choose a topic

    From the list or — better even — propose a topic yourself. Contact TA Yu Wang to register your topic.

  • It would be good when you focus your investigation around one research question
  • Present your results in a 15 min presentation (and 5 min questions).

    The aim of your presentation is for us to learn something! Therefore, don't "overfill" your slides with information and provide a clear context.

  • Write your results in a scientific report

    • this part is optional
    • in English, at most XXX words, submit in PDF format
    • ensure academic honesty (state your references!)

Exoplanet related

  • Biotracers
  • Detection of Earth 2.0
  • Exoplanet Atmospheres
  • Free-floating planets
  • Habitable Zones
  • Mass-radius relationships
  • Planet-disk interactions
  • Resonance trapping
  • Transit Timing Variations

You are encouraged to propose your own topic!

Weekly Notes

 

Notes 16.05

  • Quiz-5
  • Discuss PS-4 (Yu)
  • Start M7

Mini-research project topics

Shihao DongPopulation III stars
Shunwu XiaoBrown Dwarfs
Wanlin WangThe Habitable Zone
Weiming Wang &
Yuxin Shang		The Kuiper belt
Xiang JiJupiter's Interior
Yunxi QiaoAstroseismology
Yuqian GuiSupernova 1987A
Zhixuan LiSatellite formation
16.05Start M7: Dynamics; discuss PS-4Quiz-5
deadline PS-5
23.05continue M7; discuss PS-5
30.05finish M7
06.06student presentations:
Dong, Xiao, ji, Qiao, Gui		deadline PS-6
13.06student presentations:
Wang, Wang & Shang, Li
discuss PS-6		last teaching day
(teacher will leave THU shortly after)
19.06 Exam 19:00—20:00
20.06report due from graduating students
23.06grad.students grade to be finalized
  remaining schedule

 

Notes 11.05

Mini-research project topics

Shihao DongPopulation III stars
Shunwu XiaoBrown Dwarfs
Wanlin WangThe Habitable Zone
Weiming Wang &
Yuxin Shang		The Kuiper belt
Xiang JiJupiter's Interior
Yunxi QiaoAstroseismology
Yuqian GuiSupernova 1987A
Zhixuan LiSatellite formation
11.05 make-up lecture!
Discuss PS-3, leftover M5, Yu MESA intro		Quiz-4
16.05Start M7: Dynamics; discuss PS-4deadline PS-5
23.05(more dynamics); discuss PS-5
30.05(more dynamics)
06.06project presentationsdeadline PS-6
13.06project presentations; discuss PS-6last teaching day
(teacher will leave THU shortly after)
19.06 Exam 19:00—20:00
20.06report due from graduating students
23.06grad.students grade to be finalized
  remaining schedule

 

Notes 09.05

  • Deadline PS-4 is NOW!
  • Finish M5

Mini-research project topics

Shihao DongPopulation III stars
Shunwu XiaoBrown Dwarfs
Wanlin WangThe Habitable Zone
Weiming Wang &
Yuxin Shang		The Kuiper belt
Xiang JiJupiter's Interior
Yunxi QiaoAstroseismology
Yuqian GuiSupernova 1987A
Zhixuan LiSatellite formation
30.04ddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
09.05Start and Finish M6: Atmospheresdeadline PS-4
11.05 make-up lecture!
Discuss PS-3, leftover M5, Yu MESA intro		Quiz-4
16.05Start M7: Dynamics; discuss PS-4deadline PS-5
23.05(more dynamics); discuss PS-5
30.05(more dynamics)
06.06project presentationsdeadline PS-6
13.06project presentations; discuss PS-6last teaching day
(teacher will leave THU shortly after)
19.06 Exam 19:00—20:00
20.06report due from graduating students
23.06grad.students grade to be finalized
  remaining schedule

 

Notes 25.04

  • Deadline PS-3 is NOW!
  • Deadline for project selection is this month
  • Finish M5

Quiz topics

Wanlin WangThe Habitable Zone
Weiming WangThe Kuiper belt
Yuxin Shang
Xiang JiJupiter's Interior
Yunxi QiaoAstroseismology
Zhixuan LiSatellite formation
25.04finish M5 (most)deadline PS-3
ddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
09.05Start and Finish M6: Atmospheresdeadline PS-4
11.05 make-up lecture! Discuss PS-3, PS-4, Quiz-?, leftover M5, Yu MESA intro
16.05Start M7: Dynamicsdeadline PS-5
23.05(more dynamics); discuss PS-5
30.05(more dynamics)
06.06project presentationsdeadline PS-6
13.06project presentations; discuss PS-6last teaching day
(teacher will leave THU shortly after)
TBD exam
  remaining schedule

 

Notes 18.04

  • Quiz-3 now!
  • Projects?
  • Introduce PS-3
  • Start Module 5!

Quiz topics

Yunxi QiaoAstroseismology
18.04Q&A M4; start M5: Stellar EvolutionQuiz-3
25.04finish M5 (most)deadline PS-3
ddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
09.05Start and Finish M6: Atmospheresdeadline PS-4
11.05 make-up lecture! Discuss PS-3, PS-4, Quiz-?, leftover M5, Yu MESA intro
16.05Start M7: Dynamicsdeadline PS-5
23.05(more dynamics);discuss PS-5
30.05(more dynamics)
06.06project presentationsdeadline PS-6
13.06project presentations; discuss PS-6last teaching day
(teacher will leave THU shortly after)
TBD exam
  remaining schedule

 

Notes 11.04

  • Discuss PS-2 (Yu)
  • Continue/finish (?) M4
  • Introduce PS-3
  • Quiz-3 planned for next week
11.04continue/finish? M4; discuss PS-3
18.04finish M4; start M5: Stellar EvolutionQuiz-3
25.04finish M5 (hopefully)deadline PS-3
end Aprilddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
09.05Start and Finish M6: Atmospheresdeadline PS-4
11.05 make-up lecture! Discuss PS-3, PS-4, Quiz-?, movies
16.05Start M7: Dynamicsdeadline PS-5
23.05(more dynamics)
30.05(more dynamics)
06.06project presentationsdeadline PS-6
13.06project presentationslast teaching day
TBD exam
  remaining schedule

 

Notes 28.03

  • PS-2 deadline is now
  • Quiz-2
  • Continue M4
  • Introduce PS-3
  • No lecture next week!
28.03continue M4deadline PS-2
Quiz-2  
04.04No lecture/holiday
11.04continue M4, discuss PS-2
18.04finish M4
25.04start M5: Stellar Evolutiondeadline PS-3
end Aprilddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
09.05
11.05 (make-up lecture!!)
16.05
23.05
30.05
06.06project presentations
13.06project presentationslast teaching day
TBD exam
  upcoming schedule

 

Notes 21.03

  • PS-1 discussion (Jiayue Zhang)
  • Finish M3
  • Introduce PS-2
  • Start M4 (Virial theorem, Jeans mass)
  • Next week: Quiz-2 & PS-2 due
  • Deadline PS-2:
    Thursday 28 march 19:20

    Please, upload in THU WebLearning system!

21.03discuss PS-1, finish M3
start M4: Formation
28.03continue M4deadline PS-2
Quiz-2
04.04continue M4, discuss PS-2
....(3 more April lectures)
end Aprilddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
...(4 May lectures)
06.06project presentations
13.06project presentationslast teaching day
TBD exam
  upcoming schedule

 

Notes 14.03

  • Deadline for PS-1 return is now
  • Please fill out the questionnaire...

    (if not already done so)

  • Going to play the quiz

    Two types of questions:

    • A B, C...:
      only 1 correct answer.
    • 1, 2, 3:
      0, 1, or multiple answers can be correct
  • Introduce PS-2
14.03Quiz-1 deadline PS-1
continue M3: Astrophysical Matter
21.03discuss PS-1, finish M3
start M4: Formation
28.03continue M4deadline PS-2
....(4 April lectures)
end Aprilddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
...(4 May lectures)
06.06project presentations
13.06project presentationslast teaching day
TBD exam
  upcoming schedule

 

Notes 07.03

announcements

  • python/matplotlib tutorial

    4 students signed up. You're still welcome to join!

  • Quiz-1 next week!!!

    about modules 1 and 2

  • PS-1 due next week
  • Quiz-0 prize winners

    prizes awarded by Yu Wang

07.03start + finish M2 "Exoplanets"
start M3 "Astrophysical Matter"		 
09.03matplotlib tutorial
(TA Yu Wang)		14:00 S727 S.MongManWei bldg
14.03Quiz-1 deadline PS-1
finish M3?
21.03finish M3, start M4
28.03continue M4
....(4 April lectures)
end Aprilddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
...(4 May lectures)
06.06project presentations
13.06project presentationslast teaching day
TBD exam
  upcoming schedule

Course Schedule

29.02introduction
start Module 1 (Light), (2..)
07.03start + finish Module 2 (exoplanets)
start Module 3 (equations of state, polytropes, ...)
TBD matplotlib tutorial (TA Yu Wang)outside regular class; optional
14.03finish Module 3?deadline PS-1
....(2 more March lectures)
....(4 April lectures)
end Aprilddl to choose your mini-research topic
02.05no lecture/holiday
...(4 May lectures)
06.06project presentations
13.06project presentationslast teaching day
TBD exam
  upcoming schedule

questions?

You are encouraged to ask questions at any time

let's start!

with a Quiz