This PDF by Nora Mills Boyd, Siska De Baerdemaeker, Kevin Heng,
and Vera Matarese is an explication of how the theory and observation balance
within astrophysics. Items under discussion include laboratory astrophysics, the
problem with the Hubble constant, and also how theory plays a game of
give-and-take with observation in stellar population synthesis. Discussions on
epistemological lessons extracted from gravitational-wave astrophysics are also
present, covering simulation practices, idealisations in computer modeling, and
verification of data. Discussing the philosophical implications of observational
black hole astrophysics and entity realism in extragalactic studies, it ends
with reflections by a theoretical astrophysicist, providing an all-encompassing
view into the foundations and methodologies that guide todays astrophysical
research.
Author(s): Nora Mills Boyd, Siska De Baerdemaeker, Kevin Heng,
Vera Matarese
Astrochemistry Lecture Note Prepared by Adwin Boogert Herschel Science
Center - NASA A short lecture note. Kind of a nice basic course on
astrochemistry, though: the chemistry of interstellar space, chemical reactions
in space, techniques for observing interstellar molecules, evolution of the
molecule and its implications for astrobiology.
Author(s): Adwin Boogert, NASA Herschel Science
Center
It is a graduate course
note led by Prof. Jose-Luis Jimenez, and explorations into atmospheric chemistry
principles had been quite informative. Some of the topics covered include global
circulation, chemical transport, spectroscopy, and some more key atmospheric
processes. The note has focused around the chemistry of inorganic nitrogen and
acid deposition as well as around the role of aerosols, cloud, and fog
chemistry. The program seems to look for making sure students get a profound
understanding of complexity in the atmosphere and many other factors that go
into its chemistry, especially as it relates to environmental concerns.