An overview of the physics of the interstellar medium with particular focus on molecular clouds and the process of star formation. Possible topics include: phases of the ISM, molecular cloud properties and substructure, heating and cooling processes in molecular clouds, radiative transfer, Jeans instability and fragmentation, and the regulation of star formation by magnetic fields, turbulence and feedback. PREREQUISITE: permission of the instructor.
An overview of the physics of the interstellar medium with particular focus on molecular clouds and the process of star formation. Possible topics include: phases of the ISM, molecular cloud properties and substructure, heating and cooling processes in molecular clouds, radiative transfer, Jeans instability and fragmentation, and the regulation of star formation by magnetic fields, turbulence and feedback. PREREQUISITE: permission of the instructor.
