This is an advance course on stellar atmospheres reviewing the theory of radiative transfer under various conditions, including polarized radiation due to scattering and magnetic fields. Our goal is to understand processes forming stellar spectra. The course is given in English. Uni Freiburg SS 2009, WS 2009/10, WS 2010/11. Contents

Astrobiology is the science that addresses the questions on the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the Universe. Organic matter is a fundamental constituent of living systems and represents the substance from which life has been generated on the early Earth. The distribution of organic matter in the Universe has a direct influence on where life could originate. In this lecture course we will examine the major environments in which organic matter is created, including debris of the interstellar medium, organic-rich circumstellar envelopes, solar nebula, and the prebiotic Earth. We will study the main energy sources for the life and learn how to find life on exoplanets. The course is given in English. ETHZ WS 2006/07, HS 2008. Uni Freiburg WS 2008/2009, SS 2010.
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The course reviews the stellar population of our galaxy and concentrates on the physical processes at work in stellar interiors. We discuss basics of the stellar evolution, variable stars, binaries, stellar oscillations and compact objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. In the exercise classes we examine the physical processes at work in stars, and aim at a deeper understanding of the topics discussed in the lectures. The course is given in English. ETHZ WS 2003/04, WS 2004/05.
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Molecules are found in a large variety of astronomical objects, ranging from comets in the Solar system to galaxies at high redshifts. They are a major component of the interstellar medium and constitute giant molecular clouds. They are detected in the atmospheres of the Sun, red dwarfs and giants, brown dwarfs and giant planets and allow for studying their physical properties, including temperature, chemical compositions and magnetic fields. In this lecture course we will discuss the synthesis of chemical elements and molecules in the universe. We will introduce basics of molecular quantum mechanics and spectroscopy and learn about detection and identification methods in optical and radio astronomy. Then, we will learn about molecular composition of galaxies, interstellar medium, protostars and protoplanets, Sun and stars, circumstellar envelopes, comets and planetary atmospheres in the Solar system and beyond. Finally, we will discuss problems of the origin of life and astrobiology. The course is given in English. ETHZ WS 2005/06, FS 2007.
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