Lecture: Stellar structures, evolution, and explosions

Winter semester 2016/2017

Prof. Dr. F. Röpke, L. Horst, Dr. P. Edelmann, Dr. S. Jones, Dr. S. Ohlmann

Lecture:  Tuesday, 14 – 16 h

Homework session: Tuesday, 16 – 18 h

The homework problems have to be uploaded. Click here to find the lecture on the E-learning system.

Syllabus

Stars are the building blocks of the Universe. This lecture covers their structures, evolution, and explosions from a theoretical point of view.

• Brief overview of observational results
• Theoretical modeling approaches
  • fluid mechanics and mechanical equilibrium of stars
  • simple stellar models
  • energetic equilibrium of stars
• Physical properties of stellar matter
  • stellar thermodynamics
  • equation of state
  • opacities
• Nuclear processes in stars
  • energy production and reactions
  • thermonuclear reaction rates
  • main nuclear burning cycles
  • neutrino emission
• Energy transport in stellar interiors
  • radiation, diffusion, conduction
  • convection
• Stellar evolution models
  • basic equations
  • stellar stability
  • homology relations
  • schematic stellar evolution
• Early stages of stellar evolution and main sequence phase
  • pre-main sequence
  • zero-age main sequence
  • central hydrogen burning
• Post-main sequence evolution
  • Schoenberg-Chandrasekhar limit
  • hydrogen-shell burning
  • helium burning
  • pulsational instability
• Late evolution of low- and intermediate mass stars
  • the asymptotic giant branch
  • white dwarfs
• Massive stars
  • stellar winds
  • advanced burning stages
  • pre-supernova evolution
• Stellar explosions
  • supernovae
  • stellar remnants