Physics 215: Galaxies and the
Interstellar Medium
Instructor: Dr. Mark Henriksen
Office: Physics 414
Office Hours: TuTh 3-4 or by appointment
Phone: 410-455-1980 (o)
Lecture: TuTh 4-5:15
Lecture Hall:
Recommended Textbook: "Galactic Astronomy",J. Binney and M. Merrifield, Oxford University Press
Summary:
An introduction to galaxies and the interstellar medium. Topics covered include spiral and elliptical galaxy structure, the Milky Way, the interstellar medium of galaxies, evolution of stellar populations, star clusters, active galaxies, and dark matter.
Grading: There are two midterms, homework, and a final exam. The mid-term exams will contribute 25% each to your grade; the homework 20%, and the final exam will contribute 30%.
Lecture Schedule:
| Lecture | Topic |
| 1 | History of Galactic Astronomy |
| 2 | Morphology of Galaxies: The Hubble Sequence |
| 3 | Surface Stellar Photometry of Elliptical Galaxies |
| 4 | Surface Stellar Photometry of Disk Galaxies |
| 5 | Globular Cluster Systems |
| 6 | Irregular and Abnormal Galaxies |
| 7 | Stellar Evolution and the Color Magnitude Diagram |
| 8,9,10 | Synthesis of Heavy Elements and Models of Chemical Enrichment |
| 11 | Evolution of Stellar Populations |
| 12,13 | Globular Star Clusters |
| 14 | Open Star Clusters |
| 15,16 | The Insterstellar Medium of Disk Galaxies |
| 17,18 | The Interstellar Medium of Elliptical Galaxies |
| 19 | The Hot ISM of Spiral Galaxies |
| 20 | The Hot ISM of Elliptical Galaxies |
| 21 | The Distribution of HI and CO in the ISM of the Milky Way |
| 22 | The Center of the Milky Way |
| 23 | The Bulge of the Milky Way |
| 24 | Structure of the Stellar Disk of the Milky Way |
| 25 | The Halo of the Milky Way |
| 26 | Measuring Stellar Kinematics of External Galaxies |
| 27 | Measuring Stellar Kinematics of Elliptical Galaxies |
| 28 | Measuring Stellar Kinematics of Disk Galaxies |
| 29 | Gravitational Lensing, MACHOS, and Dark Matter in the Milky Way |
| 30 | An Introduction to Active Galaxies |