Teaching at the University of St Andrews
- AS4015 Gravitiation and Accretion Physics
- This theoretical module aims to explore the basics of gravitational dynamics and the physics of accretion with applications ranging from planetary and stellar systems to galaxies and galaxy clusters. Gravity is the most important force in governing the formation, evolution and dynamics of astrophysical objects from planets to super-massive black holes and galaxies. Starting from basic mechanics, the module develops the formalism to understand the dynamics of non-collisional systems where objects orbit due to the overall gravitational potential of the large-scale system. The extension to systems where collisional and dissipative processes can occur opens up the study of accretion and growth of these astrophysical objects as well as the evolution of many-bodies systems such as stellar and globular clusters. Accretion discs is a special extension where angular momentum is transferred allowing for the growth of stars, planets and even super-massive black holes in the centre of galaxies. Applications from the dynamics responsible for the growth of super-massive black holes in galaxies and the accretion discs in stellar systems are also covered.
- Junior Honours Adviser