PX4229: Interstellar Medium and Star Formation
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX4229 |
| External Subject Code | 100415 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L7 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Dr Miranda Jackson |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2015/6 |
Outline Description of Module
To introduce the physics of the interstellar medium and star formation, and how they are observed.
To provide an understanding of thermal balance in the interstellar medium, radiative transfer, the dynamics of interstellar gas, interstellar clouds and the physics of star formation.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Describe the location and evolution of the interstellar medium in a galactic context.
Explain the physics of thermal and ionisation balance in the interstellar medium.
Use the equations of statistical equilibrium and radiative transfer to interpret observations of interstellar gas and dust in terms of its physical state.
Describe the basic equations for the explanation of an HII region, or a stellar wind bubble, isothermal and adiabatic shocks, steady-state accretion, and the collapse of a protostar.
Manipulate notions like the Initial Mass Function to obtain the properties of star clusters.
Expound the basic physics of star formation and identify outstanding problems.
How the module will be delivered
Lectures 22 x 1 hr, Exercises classes 14 x 1hr.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Mathematics. Problem solving. Investigative skills. Analytical skills.
How the module will be assessed
Examination and Continuous Assessment
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Spring Semester | 80 | Interstellar Medium And Star Formation | 2 |
| Written Assessment | 20 | Coursework | N/A |
Syllabus content
The interstellar medium in a galactic context: Location, different phases, radial variations, spiral structure, feedback from star formation, astration.
Microphysics of the interstellar medium: Heating and ionisation, collisional and radiative processes, cooling and recombination, thermalisation and equipartition, molecule formation and destruction, dust formation, thermal and charge balance for dust grains.
Phases of interstellar gas: Thermal and ionisation balance, the general interstellar medium, HI clouds, intercloud medium, coronal gas, HII regions, molecular clouds.
Diagnostic techniques for the interstellar medium: Equivalent width and curve of growth, recombination lines and emission measure, free-free radiation, 21cm radiation, CO emission, forbidden-line ratios, the extinction curve, star counts, reflection nebulae and infrared sources.
Star formation: Sites of star formation, the initial-mass function, gravitational instability in 3D and 2D, fragmentation, the minimum and maximum stellar masses, Hayashi and Henyey tracks, accretion discs and bipolar outflows.
Dynamics: Time-dependent Virial Theorem, HII regions, ionisation fronts, shock fronts (isothermal and adiabatic), stellar-wind bubbles, supernova remnants, spiral shocks, Bondi accretion.