Examines the most basic and direct connection between physics and astrophysics in order to derive a better understanding of astrophysical phenomena from first principles to the extent possible.
The leading observational facts about stars as interpreted by current theories of stellar structure and evolution. Spectroscopy, abundances of the elements, nucleosynthesis, stellar atmospheres, stellar populations. Final stages of evolution, including white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovae.
Physical examination of our evolving universe: the Big Bang model; simple aspects of general relativity; particle physics in the early universe; production of various background radiations; production of elements; tests of geometry of the universe; dark energy and dark matter; and formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure.
Introduces students to the fundamentals of astrobiology by providing an overview of the basic physical, chemical, and biological processes that are relevant to the study of the origin, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe. Students investigate the definition of life, its origin and evolution on Earth, the physical properties that make Earth amenable to life, and the generalization of those properties to objects in the solar system and beyond. Students are expected to have declared a science major within the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences at UCSC and have completed their lower-division pre-requisites for that major. Exceptions require instructor approval.
Instructor
Natalie Batalha
Theory and practice of space and ground-based x-ray and gamma-ray astronomical detectors. High-energy emission processes, neutron stars, black holes. Observations of x-ray binaries, pulsars, magnetars, clusters, gamma-ray bursts, the x-ray background. High-energy cosmic rays. Neutrino and gravitational-wave astronomy.
Determination of the physical properties of the solar system, its individual planets, and extrasolar planetary systems through ground-based and space-based observations, laboratory measurements, and theory. Theories of the origin and evolution of planets and planetary systems.
Introduction to solving scientific problems using computers. A series of simple problems from Earth sciences, physics, and astronomy are solved using a user-friendly scientific programming language (Python/SciPy).
Students work with a professional machinist to learn the fundamentals of metal machining in the context of building scientific instruments. The class takes place at the University of California Observatories Machine Shop, where students receive group instruction on machining and then work independently to machine parts, including parts that they will use in their own physics and astronomy research. Enrollment is by instructor permission and is for students who are doing experimental physics and astronomy research at UCSC over the summer.
Introduces the techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical wavelengths through hands-on experiments and use of remote observatories. Students develop the skills and experience to pursue original research. Course is time-intensive and research-oriented.
Students use the Nickel telescope at Lick Observatory to measure the astrometry, or position, of a solar system body across multiple nights. By measuring the body's motion, students determine its distance from the Earth using parallax. This course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period and includes an overnight field trip to Lick Observatory.
Students use the Shane telescope at Lick Observatory to measure the rotation curve of a galaxy. Observations like this provide some of the best evidence for the existence of dark matter, and students evaluate that evidence in their observations. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period and includes an overnight field trip to Lick Observatory.
Uses archival data from the Hubble Space Telescope to create a color-magnitude diagram for a star cluster. Examines techniques for measuring and calibrating photometry and estimating the uncertainties on the measurements. Students identify the major features of the color-magnitude diagram, the corresponding stages of stellar evolution and what information can be learned about the age and distance of the cluster. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs and meets over a three-week period. The lab involves all archival data, there is no nighttime observing component.
Students use a laboratory optics kit to create an optical system that models a telescope observing an astronomical object, and use a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to measure the difference between aberrated and unaberrated wavefronts. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.
Students use a laboratory optics kit to identify the major components of an adaptive optics system and explain the role of each one. Using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to examine aberrated and unaberrated wavefronts, students analyze the effect of closing the AO correction loop. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.
Students use laboratory data to measure and calibrate data from a charged coupled device (CCD) detector in an imaging camera, characterize the detector dark current, the camera system flatfield response, and the readnoise. Students evaluate the impact of these detector parameters on the signal to noise of the measurement of flux from a point source and use them to make predictions for data quality. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.
Students use a laboratory optics kit investigate concepts of Fourier optics, investigate several Fourier filters, propose Fourier filters to implement specific output effects, and verify the results. Course is part of the ASTR 136 collection of 2-credit advanced labs. Class meets in person over a three-week period. All data acquisition will be in the laboratory, there is no nighttime observing component to this lab.
Dir Stu Teach
Cross-listed Courses
Provides a graduate-level introduction to the field of astrobiology. Provides an overview of the relevant basic physical, chemical and biological processes, and then proceeds to discuss definitions of life, the origin of life on Earth, the potential for life to exist in this solar system or elsewhere, and how one might go about detecting it. An undergraduate lower-division understanding of physics, chemistry and biology is assumed.
Cross Listed Courses
ASTR 216
Explores how astrobiology and literature (especially science fiction) have been linked culturally as each explores ideas about alien life. As planetary astronomy has refined our ability to detect and image exoplanets beyond our own solar system, the question of the existence of life on or around exoplanets has gained a renewed urgency. The principal challenge of this course is how to imagine aliens that are scientifically coherent while also capturing the true variety and difference suggested by astrobiology. The course also provides a philosophical and literary introduction to the scientific method, and a scientific framework for evaluating public imaginaries about alien life.
Cross Listed Courses
ASTR 167O
General Education Code
SI
Survey of observational astronomy across the electromagnetic spectrum and including multi-messenger probes. Covers the physics of light detection and instrumentation in different wavelength bands as well as astrophysical sources of emission and the relevant radiative processes associated to them. Aspects of statistics and statistical inference relevant for astronomical data analysis are also covered.
Cross Listed Courses
ASTR 114
Particle physics and cosmology of the very early universe: thermodynamics and thermal history; out-of-equilibrium phenomena (e.g., WIMPs freeze-out, neutrino cosmology, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, recombination); baryogenesis; inflation; topological defects. High-energy astrophysical processes: overview of cosmic ray and gamma ray astrophysics; radiative and inelastic processes; astroparticle acceleration mechanisms; magnetic fields and cosmic ray transport; radiation-energy density of the universe; ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays; dark-matter models; and detection techniques.
Cross Listed Courses
ASTR 224