A452 - Extragalactic Astrophysics

Swain Hall West Rm 246A

TR 11:15 - 12:30

Instructor:
Dr. Liese van Zee
Office: Swain West 410 (855-0274)
Office Hours:
T 10 - 11am, Th 12:30-1:15pm, or by appointment
email: vanzee@astro.indiana.edu

Associate Instructor:
Tara Angle
Office: Swain West 313 (855-6918)
Office Hours:
M 1:00-2:00pm, or by appointment
email: tangle@indiana.edu
M100
The inner regions of the spiral galaxy M100
Background information (link to the HST page)

Class Information:

This course will cover galaxy formation, galaxy evolution, large scale structure, and cosmology. This is an advanced undergraduate course appropriate for junior and senior physics and astronomy majors.

Prerequisites include calculus and P301. A221-A222 are recommended, but are not required. The upper level astronomy courses A451 and A452 are complementary, and can be taken in any order.

Textbooks: Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction by Sparke & Gallagher
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Carroll & Ostlie


o Syllabus
o Projects

o Power Point Slides for COBE, WMAP, and Boomerang Results (Feb 22 lecture)
o Power Point Slides for Large Scale Structure (Feb 27 lecture)
o Power Point Slides for Local Group (March lectures)

o Deadlines & Notices

o Homework 1 Due Jan 16
o Homework 2 Due Jan 30
o Homework 3 Due Feb 6
o Research Question Due Feb 6
o Homework 4 and 5 Due Feb 13
o Shape of the Universe Project Due Feb 13
o Homework 6 Due Feb 20
o Homework 7 Due Mar 1
o Homework 8 Due Mar 20
o First Results Due Mar 22
o Homework 9 Due Mar 27
o Homework 10 Due Apr 3
o Outline Due Apr 3
o Homework 11 Due Apr 10
o Homework 12 Due Apr 17


o Class Resources

Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) abstract query form
Astronomy Picture of the Day
Getting started with IRAF
SuperMongo Tutorial at Princeton University

Summer Job Opportunities

There are several national programs which offer research opportunities for undergraduate physics and astronomy majors. Most are sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Deadlines for summer job applications are usually in late January.

The American Astronomical Society maintains a listing of Summer programs. Our department also maintains a listing of REU opportunities

Most of the National Observatories have undergraduate research programs during the summer. In particular:

  • National Optical Astronomy Observatory
  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory
  • Arecibo Observatory
  • Space Telescope Science Institute
  • National Solar Observatory

    Other good opportunities are:

  • Maria Mitchell Observatory
  • Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
  • Cornell University
  • University of Hawaii
  • High Altitude Observatory
  • MIT Haystack Observatory
  • Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy
  • Indiana University
  • University of Wisconsin
  • McDonald Observatory, University of Texas
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences
  • Northern Arizona University
  • Wyoming Infrared Observatory
  • NASA Academy