8.901  Astrophysics I

So long and thanks

Your graded term papers and final problem sets are now available in the box on my office door (37-664b). Your project grade, and your final overall letter grade, are written on the second sheet of your term paper. I enjoyed reading the papers and I think you will too.

Thank you for your attentiveness and your effort this semester, and best wishes for your continued study of physics. And, don't be a stranger!

Announced on 24 May 2012  8:26  a.m. by Joshua Nathan Winn

Bremsstrahlung

An optional reading on bremsstrahlung, from Rybicki & Lightman, is now available online.

Announced on 07 May 2012  12:48  p.m. by Joshua Nathan Winn

Clarifications to problem set 11

- In problem 1a, give an approximate expression for the X-ray
luminosity of the accretion disk, not the neutron star (hint: this
is an easy question).

- In problem 2, "n_1" refers to the number density in units of 1/cm^3.

I have updated the posted version of the problem set to include these
changes.

Thanks to Alex and Ileyk for pointing out these issues.

Announced on 03 May 2012  7:57  a.m. by Joshua Nathan Winn

Term project abstracts

A friendly reminder that your term project abstracts are due no
later than Monday, April 23. Please hand them in during class, or
email to Leslie and me.

Announced on 21 April 2012  9:58  a.m. by Joshua Nathan Winn

Handouts on Accretion disks and Roche potential

In lecture, I meant to draw your attention to a handout on the Shakura-Sunyaev disk model that treats the subject of today's and Friday's lectures. In fact you might have also seen the handout on the Roche potential. Both were written by Prof. Rappaport, who will be the substitute lecturer on Friday.

Announced on 18 April 2012  5:56  p.m. by Joshua Nathan Winn