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Physics of the Interstellar Medium Master level course KLIPS2 number 14756.2017 Summer term 2024 All material is handed out and returned electronically through ILIAS. Video lectures and slides are available every Monday 9:00 Session for questions on the lecture: Monday, the week after 12:00 Hand-out of exercises: Tuesday 10:00 Return of solved exercise sheets: Monday: 9:00 Session for the discussion of the exercises: Wednesday: 10:00

Content

Introduction: History and observational evidences

The dynamics of the interstellar gas

magnetohydrodynamic equations
hydrodynamic instabilities
turbulence

Radiation from interstellar gas

Line transitions
continuum radiation
radiative transfer

Interstellar dust

solid-state spectroscopy
scattering by small particles
interstellar extinction and emmission
dust evolution
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Energy balance

gas heating and cooling processes
dust-gas interaction
phases of the ISM

Special interstellar regions

HII regions
molecular clouds
photon-dominated regions
interstellar shocks and supernova remnants

Literature

B.T. Draine

Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium

M. Barthelmann

Theoretical Astrophysics

A.G.G.M. Tielens

The Physics and Chemistry of the Interstellar Medium

K. Lang

Astrophysical Formulae

Technical details

The lecture is open to all physics students at the master level or above. It is expected that basic astrophysics knowledge, as given in the Astrophysik I lecture series, is present.
The lecture series will be accopmpanied by exercises that allow to prepare for the final examination. Regular participation is a prerequisite for the exam. For the full course, including the lecture, weekly exercises and the exam, 4.5 credit points will be granted.