Physics 606: Stars and Planets, Fall 2026

Description

This is an advanced graduate course designed for students pursuing research in astrophysics or closely related fields. We will study the physics of gas in extreme conditions and use it to understand the structure and evolution of stars. Time permitting, we will study both the interiors of stars and the results for stellar evolution, as well as understanding stellar atmospheres. We will also do a brief study of planetary dynamics in order to understand the modern idea of Solar System formation in relation to work on extrasolar planets. We will develop the formal theory as much as possible and consider computational approaches as appropriate.

More information about the course is on our Canvas site.

Contact Information

Prof. Saurabh W Jha (he/him)
Room 315, Serin Physics Building, Busch campus
Email: saurabh[at]physics.rutgers.edu
Phone: 848-445-8962 (email preferred)

Office hours: to be confirmed, likely Tuesdays 2 to 3 pm, or by appointment

Materials

• Lecture notes by Onno Pols
• Understanding Stellar Evolution (IOP, 2017) by H. Lamers and E. Levesque, which you can download as a PDF free from a campus network
• The Physics of Stars (Wiley, 1999) by A.C. Phillips, see Canvas for more information
• Stellar Structure and Evolution (Springer, 2012) by R. Kippenhahn, A. Weigert, and A. Weiss, see Canvas for more information
• Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis by D. Clayton, see Canvas for more information
• Stars and Stellar Processes (Cambridge, 2019) by M. Guidry, digital version available free after Rutgers institutional login
• Radiative Processes in Astrophysics (Wiley, 1979) by G. Rybicki and A. Lightman, the textbook for Physics 514: Radiative Processes, see Canvas for more information
• Principles of Astrophysics (Springer, 2014) by C.R. Keeton, textbook used for Rutgers undergraduate astrophysics sequence Physics 341/342
• Astrophysics of Planet Formation (Cambridge, 2020) by P. Armitage, digital version available free after Rutgers institutional login
• MESA stellar evolution code
• a list of physical and astronomical constants, in cgs units

Assessment

We will have four (lengthy!) problem sets due on Canvas in PDF format. Each problem set will include a numerical computation component that will require writing some code and making plots. Each student will also deliver one lecture based on notes that I will provide. Finally, each student will do a final project, consisting of a project proposal, peer-review of project proposals, and a project presentation.

The final grade will be calculated from the problem sets (60%), delivered lecture (10%), project proposal (10%), peer review (10%), and project presentation (10%).

Academic Integrity and Collaboration

Students are expected to maintain the highest level of academic integrity. You should be familiar with the university policy on academic integrity. Violations will be reported and enforced according to this policy. Note also the department's page on academic integrity for graduate students.

You should first try all the homework problems yourself. You may then discuss the problems with other students in this course, but you must write up your solutions individually. Include a brief note about what you discussed, and with whom. You may consult books and published papers, but not solutions sets from this or other courses at Rutgers or elsewhere. If you use material from any other source (for homework, the project proposal, or the presentation), make sure to give clear attribution.

Use of AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, or others) or any similar technology to complete any course assignments must be clearly disclosed and acknowledged. You should never submit AI output and claim it is your own work. AI tools may be helpful for code generation, etc., but you should show evidence of how you tested and checked AI output and results. Fictitious or hallucinated references are never acceptable. You should include a transcript of your interaction with AI tools with your submission. You are responsible for all of the material you submit, regardless of whether it was generated by AI tools or not.

Almost all original work is the intellectual property of its authors. In this course, this includes syllabi, lecture slides, problem sets, and other materials, in either printed or electronic form. You may not copy this work, post it online, or disseminate it in any way without the explicit permission of the instructor.

Technological Requirements

A computer will be needed for the problems that require a numerical solution. A phone camera with an app such as Adobe Scan, Office Lens, Apple Notes, or something similar will be useful to convert pictures of your completed assignments into PDF format for upload and submission to Canvas. Please visit the Rutgers Student Tech Guide page for resources available to all students.

Schedule: Topics and Assignments

This schedule will be updated as the semester progresses. Book chapters are labeled OP for Onno Pols' lecture notes, P for Phillips (1999), LL for Lamers & Levesque (2017), and A for Armitage (2020). You are encouraged to do the reading in advance of the corresponding lecture; we will be going through lots of material quickly!

Other Items

Student wellness resources are available at Rutgers.

Students with disabilities should consult the department policy.

Astrophysics at Rutgers • Department of Physics and Astronomy • Rutgers University

Last updated: August 21, 2026 swj