Universität Wien

280410 VU Interstellar Medium and Star Formation (2024W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 28 - Erdwissenschaften, Meteorologie - Geophysik und
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 90 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Übungsgruppe 1: Montag 09:45-11:15
Übungsgruppe 2: Montag 11:30-13:00
Übungsgruppe 3: Montag 13:15-14:45

  • Tuesday 01.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 07.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 07.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 07.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 08.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 14.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 14.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 14.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 15.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 21.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 21.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 21.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 22.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 28.10. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 28.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 28.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 29.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 04.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 04.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 04.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 05.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 11.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 11.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 11.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 12.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 18.11. 09:45 - 11:15 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 18.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Monday 18.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17
  • Tuesday 19.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Littrow-Hörsaal Astronomie Sternwarte, Türkenschanzstraße 17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Introduction to the Interstellar Medium (ISM)

1. Overview of ISM: Historical Background
2. ISM Composition: Gas, Dust, and Cosmic Rays
3. Phases in the ISM
4. ISM's role in the Galaxy
5. Large-scale structure and distribution of the ISM
6. ISM Distribution in the Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies

The Local ISM environment

1. The Local Neighborhood
2. The Radcliffe Wave and its Split
3. The Local Bubble Phenomenon

Basics of Star Formation

1. Birth of Stars
2. Gravitational Collapse and Cloud Fragmentation Concepts
3. The Jeans Criterion
4. Protostars and their Accretion Process
5. Interpretative Dance of the ISM
6. Theoretical Aspects of Star Formation

Star Formation - From Clouds to Stars

1. Dust as Density Tracer
2. Molecular Cloud Structure
3. Dense Cores in the ISM
4. Structure and Evolution of Dense Cores
5. Core Mass Function - Initial Mass Function (CMF-IMF)
6. Core Collapse and Star Formation

Stellar Clusters

1. Detection of Stellar Clusters
2. Types of Clusters: Globular, Open, and Associations
3. Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) Diagrams
4. Determining Cluster Ages
5. The Implication of the Gaia Revolution
6. Cluster Distribution in the Milky Way and Other Galaxies
7. Laws Governing Star Formation: Larson-law and KS-law

Factors Influencing Star Formation

1. Stellar Winds
2. Magnetic Field
3. Turbulence
4. Feedback Mechanisms

Assessment and permitted materials

Assessment Breakdown for the Course:

The assessment for this course consists of two components: exercises and a final exam. These assessments are crucial in determining your overall performance and successful course completion. Let's take a closer look at each component:

1. Exercises (60% of the final grade):

Exercises comprise most of the assessment, accounting for 60% of your final grade. These exercises are designed to test your understanding of the course material and allow you to apply the concepts learned in a practical manner. They serve as an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course. It is important to dedicate sufficient time and effort to complete these exercises effectively.

2. Final Exam (40% of the final grade):

The final exam contributes 40% to your overall grade. Note that passing the final exam is a requirement for passing the course. The exam evaluates your comprehensive understanding of the course content and assesses your ability to synthesize and apply the knowledge gained throughout the course. Therefore, allocating ample time for exam preparation is crucial to ensure a successful outcome.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Passing the final exam is a requirement for passing the course.

Please note that the exercises and the final exam are essential for determining your overall performance in the course. It is important to dedicate sufficient time and effort to prepare for both components to maximize your chances of success.

Examination topics

The subject matter for the examination coincides directly with the aims, contents, and method of the course that students have undertaken. This implies students will be tested for comprehension and application of topics and content areas outlined and covered throughout the course, both lecture and exercises. It is important for students to thoroughly review and prepare for the examination by revisiting the course material and practicing relevant exercises or examples to ensure their success.

Reading list

Kutner, M. (2003). Astronomy: A Physical Perspective (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511802195

Association in the course directory

ISM; PM-AP1;

Last modified: Fr 13.09.2024 11:06