Courses What should I review over break for this Astrophysics course?

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The discussion revolves around preparing for a course in stellar astrophysics, which includes topics such as solar physics, star formation, stellar evolution, and cosmology. The recommended textbook is "Introduction to Modern Astrophysics" by Carroll, noted for its clarity and accessibility, making it suitable for those without extensive prior knowledge. The course is identified as an upper-level elective for physics majors, suggesting it is more advanced than a generic course for non-science majors. Participants suggest reviewing concepts like central-force motion, hydrostatic equilibrium, and possibly Lagrangian mechanics, while emphasizing that the textbook will cover necessary foundational topics. One participant expresses concern about accessing the book until shortly before the semester starts, prompting a discussion on preliminary topics to study in classical mechanics.
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Description: This course covers stellar astrophysics, solar physics, star formation, stellar evolution, processes in the interstellar medium, galactic dynamics and evolution, formation of galaxies and cosmology.

Book: INTRO TO MODERN ASTROPHYSICS- Carrol

What should I review over break for this course?

I was thinking central-force motion, but I'm not sure if that's all.

Thanks for your time.
 
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Hydrostatic Equilibrium for stellar processes; maybe some particle physics? Lagrangian mechanics?

Is this a generic astrophysics course for non-science majors or a core course required for a major? Undergrad or Grad?

SolsticeFire
 


I would just read the book. Carroll is pretty well written and not much prior knowledge is really necessary. It's not too heavy on the physics, what you do need to review is covered sufficiently in the book.
 


I think it's an upper-level elective for physics majors (4000 level).

I can't get the book until ~week before the semester, so I was thinking I could look at some topics from the book that was used in classical mechanics.

Thanks for the help!
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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