intro to astro
homework 6
1) text problem 24(35), which accounts for how we know
that the pulsar phenomenon is not due to an eclipsing binary with two
neutron stars. (on test 2, question 1, you could easily
rule out such a binary containing at least 1 white dwarf, but you
couldnt rule out a binary containing two neutron stars. The
number you
calculate here is actually an upper limit to the lifetime of the
system,
because the rate at which the separation of the two stars decreases
increases
with
time as the stars approach each other and the gravitational effects
increase.)
2) text, problem 27-40 on the difference between gammar-ray bursters
and x-ray bursters
3) text problem 26-43.... what specific types of stars (spectral,
luminosity classes) might these stars be?
4) text problem 29-27..... what objects now present in our galaxy might
objects of this mass/size correspond to?
5) text problem 29-30.... addressing the issue of what these redshifts really mean
6) text problem 28-41.... on the interplay of matter (dark or not) and
dark energy.... the calculations are fairly simple, but it's up to you
to reflect on their meaning (in the
problem "cosmological constant" means W L)