8.284  Modern Astrophysics

Course evaluation

Dear all,

Please fill out the course evaluation for 8.284 if you have not yet done so

http://web.mit.edu/subjectevaluation

I very much value your feedback and comments.

thanks,
Nevin

Announced on 19 May 2017  10:57  a.m. by Nevin N. Weinberg

Final Exam Info

Dear all,

I posted a practice exam + solutions to help you prepare for the final exam next week. On the first two pages is a list of useful constants and some possibly useful expressions. These two pages will be included with the exam.

The two hour Final is on Wednesday, May 24 from 10:00-12:00 in 8-205. Note that the exam is two hours (not three hours, as indicated on the schedule). You can bring two single-sided pages of notes. Please also bring a calculator.

The exam is comprehensive, although there will be a greater emphasis on the material covered after the midterm.

As I mentioned in class on Thursday, I also posted some practice cosmology problems + solutions. They're listed under "Pset 9" on Stellar, but you do not need to turn it in.

Our TA Alex Ji is away (he just got married!) and physics graduate student Ani Chiti has very kindly volunteered to take Alex's place for the remainder of the semester. Please fill out the doodle poll he sent last week regarding when would be the best time for him to hold the review session.

I will have office hours on Friday 11:00 - 12:00 and next Tuesday (May 23) 2:00 - 4:00pm. If you would like to meet with me but cannot make these times, please let me know.

best,
Nevin

Announced on 15 May 2017  10:37  a.m. by Nevin N. Weinberg

Pset 8 due Thursday, May 11

Dear all,

Just a quick note that Pset 8 will be due next Thursday, May 11. It is the final pset of the semester.

best,
Nevin

Announced on 04 May 2017  10:21  a.m. by Nevin N. Weinberg

second computational pset

Dear all,

The second computational pset (due May 2) is posted on Stellar. As with the first cpset you have a choice between the two problems (labelled #3 and #4). The first one asks you to construct a white dwarf model and the second to construct a neutron star model. You are free to choose which one you'd like to do.

If you plan to do the neutron star model, you'll need to download the Arnett & Bowers 1977 paper referenced in part a. You can either type into google "Arnett & Bowers ApJ Supplement, 33, 415, 1977" or just go to the ADS cite

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1977ApJS...33..415A

You should be able to download the pdf from there if you're on an MIT server. Please let me know if you can't access it and I will email you the pdf.

best,
Nevin

Announced on 18 April 2017  1:05  p.m. by Nevin N. Weinberg

grades now viewable on gradebook

I fixed the gradebook settings, so you should now be able to view your pset and exam grades.

best,
Nevin

Announced on 25 March 2017  11:36  a.m. by Nevin N. Weinberg