NFYK13017U The Interstellar Medium and Formation of Stars

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Physics
Content
The physics of the diffuse interstellar medium is rather complex, in fact no comprehensive theory exists today and we try to get an insight into the structure of the gaseous disk of the Milky way and relate its energy density to the state of star formation in a particular galaxy.The physics of the molecular clouds may influence the stellar formation which we study with an emphasis on the cool, low mass stars. What makes a contracting lump of gas and dust a star and not a planet.
Learning Outcome

Skills

  • Present insight into temperature and density distributions of the diffuse medium and relate critically to the available energizing mechanisms
  • show how the state of star formation in a galaxy with a diffuse interstellar medium can de deduced from the physiscs of the diffuse medium alone
  • demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the empirical basis for the suggested diffuse medium theories
  • apply thermal, rotational and magnetical corrections to the inside - outside collapse
  • suggest emperical and theoretical arguments for the location of the birthline
  • demonstrate the importance of nucleosynthesis for the formation of low mass stars
  • suggest methods to identify and determine ages and masses of low mass protostars

Knowledge
The first part of the course deals with the physics of the diffuse interstellar medium and why it is so complex. An important issue is to understand the existence of various phases with different densities but anyway in pressure equilibrium and the feed back of the location of this equilibrium in the P/k - n diagram to the state of star formation in a galaxy. The second part is on aspects of the star formation itself and why the formation of cool stars is so interesting. Excercises on star formation in nearby star forming molecular clouds: how is the collapse taking place, how are protostars identified, how may their properties be derived?

Competences
This course will provide the students with a competent background for further studies within this research field, e.g. an M.Sc. project

 

The Formation of Stars, Steven W. Stahler, Francesco Palla, ISBN 3-527-40559-3.Wiley-VCH January 2005 (mandatory)

The Birth of Stars and Planets, Bally & Reipurth, 2006 (not mandatory).
Selected recent research papers (web and/or handout material)

Bachelor courses: "Galakser" and "Planetsystemer og stjernedannelse"
Lectures and exercises
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Guidance
  • 7
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Practical exercises
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 86,5
  • Project work
  • 42
  • Theory exercises
  • 14
  • Total
  • 206,0
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25 min
Without preparation time
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Re-exam
Written Assignment
Criteria for exam assesment
Se Skills.