The Makings of Models for White Dwarf Supernovae - Dean Townsley

This course aims to explore the observational and theoretical study of white dwarfs, focusing on improving models of these electron-degenerate stars to utilize them as probes for various astrophysical phenomena. The course covers topics such as the formation and evolution of stars and planets, the star formation rate of the Galaxy, and the populations of low-frequency gravitational wave sources and progenitors of thermonuclear supernovae. The course teaches skills related to astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic surveys, as well as the relevant input physics including equations of state and opacities. The teaching method involves expert talks and discussions, providing a panoramic overview of the state-of-the-art models and identifying limitations and new scientific opportunities. The intended audience includes experts in observational and theoretical astrophysics, scientists working on fundamental physics, and astronomers using white dwarfs as diagnostic tools.