Here is a primer on compact objects. Calculus and differential
equations are required, but that should not be a problem for
most S.A.As.

Dark skies,

tom

=================
astro-ph/0506417:

Title: Compact Stars for Undergraduates
Authors: Irina Sagert, Matthias Hempel, Carsten Greiner, Juergen
Schaffner-Bielich
Comments: 30 pages, 20 figures, to be submitted to Eur. J. Phys

We report on an undergraduate student project initiated in the summer
semester of 2004 with the aim to establish equations of state for white dwarfs
and neutron stars for computing mass-radius relations as well as
corresponding maximum masses. First, white dwarfs are described by a Fermi
gas model of
degenerate electrons and neutrons and effects from general relativity are
examined. For neutron star matter, the influence of a finite fraction of protons
and electrons and of strong nucleon-nucleon interactions are studied. The
nucleon--nucleon interactions are introduced within a Hartree-Fock scheme
using
a Skyrme-type interaction. Finally, masses and radii of neutron stars are
computed for given central pressure.
====================

--
We have discovered a therapy ( NOT a cure )
for the common cold. Play tuba for an hour.