Stellar Structure & Evolution, fall 2003
Written report and oral presentation

Steps

1. Decide on a topic with Bengt.
2. Search the library and the Web for suitable books and articles.
3. Write and submit a report, with at least two A4 pages of text, on the chosen topic.
   • Each essay should preferably concentrate on the physical "effects," but also briefly discuss how the problem is studied observationally.
   • Include a reference list according to the format used in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
4. Give the presentation to the entire class on October 28 or 30.
   Be sure to provide copies of your report for the other students.

Topics

Below is a list containing some possibilities to help you choose a topic for a presentation.
Feel free to discuss your own suggestions with Bengt!

Topic	Taken by
The initial mass function (IMF)
Star formation efficiencies in different environments
Nuclear processes occurring on the main sequence
Sunspots or magnetic fields in stars	AP
Stellar rotation	ML
Evolutionary effects on stars in binaries	SN
Theoretical vs. observed H-R diagrams	AB
Stellar evolution on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB)
Novae	KH
Processes in the core-collapse of massive stars	EH
Processes in thermonuclear supernovae	MS
Neutrinos from stars	PT
Stellar winds
...any other topic that has been checked with Bengt...

Literature search

• The astronomy textbooks in the library are useful for learning the basics, of course.
• For looking up terms and general reference, you may want to have a look at the Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, which you can find in the "Handbooks, Encyclopedia" section of the library. (Please note that reference books like this may not be borrowed and must remain in the library.)
• Books are good for background but often do not include the most recent developments in the field. It is very useful if you can find recent review articles, for example in Annual Reviews of Astronomy & Astrophysics (ARA&A) or Astronomy and Astrophysics Review (A&ARv), both of which are in the library.
• Another good place to search for articles is the abstract service of NASA's Astrophysics Data System. If you cannot give the name of an author, type your subject under "Title words" or "Text words" (in quotation marks if it is more than one word). You will probably get a list with far too many articles. One way to narrow the search is to limit it to one journal like ARA&A or A&ARv. Click on the box for "Selected journals" and enter the journal's abbreviation there.

Speaking hints

• You will be the teacher on this topic, so take some time to reflect: what is the essential information on your subject, and what do you want people to learn from your talk?
• Be sure to explain terminology that could be unfamiliar to your listeners.
• Practice going through your talk beforehand---15 minutes is not as long as you may think, and it is not always easy to stay within a given time limit.
• While giving your talk, remember that you will tend to speak more quickly when you are nervous...but also remember that there is no need to be nervous! The oral presentations are mandatory but not graded, so think of this as good practice....