The Interstellar Medium: Chapter 19.2
Compare and constrast the three types of nebulae: Emission, Absorption, and Dark
Decribe the composition of a molecular cloud and how it differs from the types of nebula listed above.
Know how 21-cm radiation is produced and what astronomers can learn by looking for it.
Be able to discuss the geometry nessecary for us to observe an emission and absorption nebula.
Measuring the Stars: chapter 16
How can the spectral absorption lines be used to identify the elements present in a star.
Be able to explain what the Zeeman effect is and what it allows astronomers to measure.
Be able to explain what the Doppler effect is and what it allows astronomers to measure.
Describe what parallax is.
Define both apparent and absolute magnitudes.
Know the limitations of calculating distances with parallax and spectroscopicly.
Be able to sketch the HR Diagram and show what quantities are plotted on the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.
Understand how the surface temperature of a star is indicated by its color.
Recall the different stellar colors and relate these colors to their relative temperatures.
Show where the different luminosity classes (Main Sequence, Giants, and Supergiants) are on the HR Diagram.
The Sun: Chatper 15
Recall the layers of the Sun and decribe the role each layer plays.
Detail the Babcock Cycle and explain how it accounts for the 11 year cycle of solar activity.
Explain how sunspots are formed and how prominances and flares related to sunspots.
Recall the surface and core temperatures of the Sun.
Explain the proton-proton chain fusion process.
Know why neutrios produced in the core of the Sun are so important.
Be able to locate the Sun on the HR Diagram.
Stellar Evolution: Chapter 17 and 18
Discuss the different phases of evolution of a star such as our Sun.
What is equilibrium in a star?
Know the relationship between stellar mass and stellar lifetime.
State what distinguishes a main-sequence star from giants and supergiants.
Explain what happens in the core of a star when hydrogen fusion ends
What are the two main facts that set a red giant star apart from a normal star like the sun?
Recall what temperature is required to fuse helium in the core of a star.
Describe what a planetary nebula is, and how one is formed.
Explain what white dwarf is, and what the approximate size and mass for one is.
Discuss the fusion sequence of elements in the cores of massive stars leading to the production of iron.
Explain why iron-fusion absorbs energy instead of producing it.
Recall the difference between a Type Ia and II Supernova, and what causes each one to occur.
Discuss what happens to the remnant material from dead stars.
Describe the composition of a neutron star.
Know the upper and lower mass limits for a neutron star.
Recall the approximate radius of a neutron star.
Compare a pulsar with a neutron star.
Compare and contrast the sequence of events in the life of lightweight and heavyweight stars.
Know the lower mass limit for a black hole.
Explain different methods by which a black hole be detected.
Binary Stars: chapter 16
Recall that the majority of stars in our galaxy are multiple star systems.
Sketch the structure of a Close Binary star system.
Explain what a light curve is and what it allows astronomers to measure.
Explain what a Roche Lobe is.
Describe the physical appearance and mass-transfer properties of binary stars in regards to their size relative to their Roche Lobes:
Detatched Binary
Semi-Detatched Binary
Contact Binary
Describe the classifications of binary stars based upon detection methods:
Visual Binary
Astrometric Binary
Spectroscopic Binary
Eclipsing Binary
Detail the process in a Close Binary that leads to a dwarf (recurrent) nova.