The Milky Way Galaxy
Algemeen
This course is given by prof. J. Blommaert. It is given in 13 2-hour sessions, one of which is used to make exercises. Lecture notes consist of the book "Galaxies in the Universe" by Sparke & Gallagher, slides and some copies of another book. For the exam, only the slides have to be studied. The exam is closed book, and only written. It consists of a lot of questions and subquestions, covering the whole course. Some of the derivations that are in the slides can be asked, and the professor has also pointed out the importance of the exercises. The exam accounts for 14/20, while the two assignments given during the semester account for 3/20 each. Don't forget your calculator on the exam, and most important: keep track of the time!
Exams
10 June 2010
Distance Determination
- Describe the Baade-Wesselink method in detail.
- Exercise 2.7 from SG, about the SN ring.
Chemical Enrichment
- What are the assumptions made for the Closed Box model?
- Derive the Leaky Box model with g(t) = c dMs
- Why are the bulge stars relatively richer in alpha elements than in iron, compared to the disk stars?
Interstellar Matter
- Explain figure 2.20 from the book (figure was given) knowing formula 2.11
- Using the previous question, how can you obtain the rotation curve?
- Why do we use HI for this and not CO? And what can you tell about the distribution of CO/HI in the galaxy
Other Galaxies
- Describe M32 and M33
- Describe strong encounters. Is it relevant for the solar neighbourhood (values of solar mass, etc... are given)
- Give a not to elaborate description of Dark Matter in spiral galaxies
- What are isophotes? How are they used to classify ellipticals in the Hubble sequence? What is good/bad about this method? Explain twisty, boxy, disky. What do these terms tell us about the galaxy, apart from it's structure.
- Describe how the unification paradigm explains the difference between Seyfert I and II.