Theory of emission-line nebulae, including ionization and thermal equilibrium, spectral diagnostics, and dynamics. Applications to Galactic nebulae, novae, supernova remnants, active galaxies, and cosmology. Based on 2 closed book exams, class participation, journal talk, and homework. Solutions will be provided after assignment is handed in. The student will devote a reasonable amount of time to following the recent literature on that topic, and provide highlights in class discussion from time to time.
Ionized plasmas play an important role in many aspects of astrophysics.
H II regions and planetary nebulae, ionized by hot stars, served as important applications of quantum mechanics in its early years. Today, the emission-line spectra of these objects provide opportunities to measure chemical abundances and other quantities that tie into the subjects of star formation, stellar evolution, and the chemical evolution of galaxies. The physics of ionization, recombination, and emission apply to a host of other objects, including stellar envelopes, nova shells, supernova remnants, the interstellar medium, active galaxies, and intergalactic gas. Nebular studies include the roles of dust and hydrodynamics. A fundamental understanding of physical processes in ionized nebulae provides the student with tools having broad application to forefront topics in modern astrophysics.