Fall 2009

Ay 278: Order of Magnitude Astrophysics

Course Description:

This is an elective graduate course. The goals are twofold. The first is to give graduate students experience with making order-of-magnitude estimates for the solutions to physical problems that may arise during the course of pondering astrophysical questions. These estimates are made at the blackboard in a "shotgun seminar" format -- thereby achieving the second goal of giving students experience at thinking on their feet in front of an audience, which is useful for comprehensive exams, teaching and giving seminars.

There is no textbook for this course. The problems to be considered are created on a real-time basis.