Term Paper Information for Astronomy 640: Gravitational Accretion-Powered Astrophysics

Some examples of possible paper topics:
- Sagittarius A*
- dwarf novae and accretion disk instability
- magnetic cataclysmic variables
- LMXB high and low (soft and hard) states
- kHz QPOs in LMXBs
- soft X-ray transients (SXTs)
- comparison of BH masses from reverberation vs. the galaxy M-sigma relation
- SS 433; or the "Rapid Burster"; or some other exotic accretion-powered object
- using the Fe K-alpha line as an astrophysical diagnostic
- quasar evolution
- current results of reverberation/echo mapping
- LINERS; ULIRGs; or BAL QSOs
- NLSy1's
- thick disk theory
- ADAF theory
- jets
- BL Lac or blazar or any jet-dominated AGN
- accretion disk emission line formation
- protostellar accretion disks
- measuring the spin of a BH
- the growth of SMBHs
- eclipse mapping
- Doppler tomography
- magnetars and SGRs
- accretion disk radiative transfer
- state-of-the-art reverberation mapping
- details of forbidden line diagnostics in AGN
- protoplanetary accretion disks
- future high-energy missions, e.g. the IXO Mission (formerly Constellation-X)
The above list is to give you a flavor of what kind of topics are permitted. It is not expected that you chose a topic from the above list. Choose something that is of interest to you. Look through the textbooks to help get ideas.

Term Paper Information:
The term paper should contain a review and clear presentation of the current understanding of the selected topic. Be sure to:
(i) Explain why the topic is imporant: what is the "big picture"?; and
(ii) summarize what we know and what we do not know about the topic: what key problem remain to be solved?

Must be in ApJ Letter format using the emulateapj style file^*

Choice of topic is up to the student, but prior approval is required - be aware of the deadlines.

Length of 3 journal-length pages (not including figures)

Papers should be at the graduate level, not an introductory level

Must include equations, figures, abstract, and properly cited references

Follow the ApJ rules for style (citations, abbreviations, notation, etc.)

Students will present a short (5-10 minute) talk open to the Astronomy Department on their term papers (graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory).
Here are rules and criteria for the grading of term papers,
And here are Helpful Hints on giving a talk.
Use these to help you write a better paper & give a better presentation.

* If a student is going on for a career in K-12 teaching or in public outreach, and is definitely not going on to pursue a career in research or in support of research (like observatory staff), and is not going to ever seek a PhD, then the requirement for LaTeX may be waived. Permission is needed in advance - at the time the paper proposal is due.