Astr 507: Astrophysics I

Monday/Wednesday 3:00 – 4:20 pm, PAA 214

Class Materials

• Syllabus.

Lecture Notes from ASTR 323

• Lecture 18: Newtonian cosmology.
• Lecture 19: Relativistic cosmology.
• Lecture 20: Observational cosmology.
• Lecture 21: CMB and other evidence for the Big Bang.
• Lecture 22: The early Universe and inflation.

Help on printing lectures with 4 pages on each printout page.

Homework Assignments

Maximum Likelihood

• Data file for asteroid color vs. age, fig. 1 from Jedicke et al. (2004).

Related Links and Materials

Bayesian Statistics

• Probability theory as extended logic—a fantastic site with numerous excellent contributions hosted by Larry Bretthorst from Washington University, St. Luis.
• An introduction to parameter estimation using bayesian probability theory, by Larry Bretthorst.
• The promise of bayesian inference for astrophysics, by Tom Loredo.
• From Laplace to Supernova SN 1987A: bayesian Inference in astrophysics, by Tom Loredo.

Miscellaneous

• Notes on statistics for physicists, by Jay Orear.
• The best astronomical web sites.
• Jupiter and its satellite Io—a truly spectacular image obtained by the spacecraft Galileo.
• The difference between astronomy and astrology.
• Space coloring book for children (and others).