Selected Topics of Interstellar Physics

You can e-mail me at lazarian@cita.utoronto.ca

I would be happy to teach a mini-course on Interstellar Medium. Interstellar medium is a vast subject and therefore I have to select particular topics that I feel important and at the same time poorly covered in the existing literature. I am going to talk about the most recent advances in the field, e.g. about Goldreich & Shridhar model of MHD turbulence. I plan to make the course interesting for both observers and theorists, which means a lot of physics and only the absolutely necessary amount of mathematics.

1. Introduction to ISM. Sources of Energy. Thermal instability. Interstellar phases and turbulent forcing.
2. Interstellar Turbulence. Observational data and theoretical considerations. Magnetic turbulence. Statistical studies of turbulence.
3. Interstellar magnetic fields. Introduction to dynamo. Importance of magnetic field. Method of study.
4. Physics of dust. Why we care. Emission and extinction by dust. Magnetic field and dust alignment. Dust and microwave background. Concluding remarks: unsolved mysteries of the ISM.

Structure: four classes of 2hrs.

Evalutation: four problems and oral exam.

Alex Lazarian.

Back to Mini-course page.