Syllabus
1) Existing and future GW detectors and their sensitivities (LIGO, VIRGO, PTA, LISA)
2) Overview of existing detections in contrast to other known astronomical populations of compact objects
3) Evolution of single stars to compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes)
4) Evolution of binary stars to compact object binaries
5) Unconventional binary star evolution, dynamical formation of binaries (captures)
6) Physics of the merger
7) Electromagnetic and multi-messenger signatures of the merger
8) Introduction to the physics of astronomical transients
9) Core-collapse supernovae
10) The zoo of astronomical transients
11) Future sources: stochastic GW from big bang, white dwarf binaries, supermassive blackholes, EMRIs
Annotation
The class will give basic introduction to the emerging field of gravitational wave astrophysics. The class will cover relevant chapters from single and binary star evolution, stellar dynamics, high-energy and nuclear astrophysics,
(magneto)hydrodynamics, radiation transport, and scientific reasoning. Intended for Master and PhD students of astronomy, theoretical physics, and nuclear and particle physics.