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Outline and Aims:

The aims of this module are to:

• teach the basic physics of the interstellar gas in its diffuse, ionised and molecular phases, together with the properties of interstellar dust
• develop a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the microscopic processes that are occurring within and controlling the macroscopic processes of the interstellar medium
• apply this to describe quantitatively the physical processes involved in the process of star formation and in the impact of stars on their environments.

Teaching and Learning Methodology:

This module is delivered via weekly lectures supplemented by a series of workshops and additional discussion.

In addition to timetabled lecture hours, it is expected that students engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form, for example, of practicing example questions and further reading in textbooks and online.

Indicative Topics:

Introduction: History; Components of the ISM; Interstellar magnetic fields

Gas Dynamics: Heating and cooling: hydrodynamics, sound waves; Shocks: cooling processes in shocked gases/isothermal shocks

HII Regions, Stellar Winds and Supernovae: Ionised nebulae/HII regions & photoionised gas; the evolution of ionised regions; Stellar winds, supernovae, and their effects on the ISM

Star Formation: Hydrostatic equilibrium, free-fall & induced star formation; Observational signatures of star formation; Gas flows from star-forming regions; Circumstellar and protoplanetary disks: the interstellar magnetic field

Dust: Review of interstellar extinction & reddening; Cosmic dust & depletions; Formation & destruction of dust; Overview of grain components in the ISM: gas ratios, grain temperatures & size distribution; Scattering, absorption & grain charge

Molecules: Brief revision of molecular spectra; Molecule formation (dark clouds); The chemistry of H2: chemistry in diffuse clouds; Molecular gas in the intergalactic medium