This course is offered in Semester 2 every odd year (eg 2025, 2027)
The first two thirds of this course covers stellar and exoplanetary atmospheres and spectroscopy, including the physics of line formation, equlibrium versus non-equilibrium statistical mechanics in stellar and planetary atmospheres, and the interpretation of spectra. The last third provides a broad survey of exoplanets, including formation mechanisms, exoplanetary evolution and cooling, and observational techniques used to discover and characterise exoplanets.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Analyze stellar and planetary spectra using a variety of numerical and analytic tools;
- Analyze observations and theory relating to formation and evolution;
- Evaluate models for stellar and planetary spectra, and for planet formation and evolution;
- Effectively communicate physical analyses relevant to the course topics;
- Work collaboratively on problems relevant to the course topics.
Indicative Assessment
- 4 problem sets (40) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Oral and/or written presentation (30) [LO 3,4]
- Final exam (30) [LO 1,2,3]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 4 hours of lectures and tutorials per week.
- Approximately 82 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks (average 6 hours per week on assignments).
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Theory of Stellar Atmospheres: An Introduction to Astrophysical Non-equilibrium Quantitative Spectroscopic Analysis (2014)
Star Formation, Mark Krumholz, World Scientific (2015)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4440 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8537 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
