Contact
Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
- heinke@ualberta.ca
Overview
Area of Study / Keywords
Astronomy astrophysics black holes neutron stars X-ray binaries
About
BA, Carleton College, MN, USA, 1997
US Peace Corps, Malawi, Central Africa, 1997-1999
PhD, Harvard Univ., MA, USA, 2004
Lindheimer Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern Univ., IL, USA, 2004-2007
Research Associate, U. Virginia, VA, USA, 2007-2008
Asst. Professor, U. Alberta, AB, Canada, 2008-2012
Associate Professor, U. Alberta, AB, Canada, 2012-2018
Professor, U. Alberta, AB, Canada, 2018-current
Research
Observational astrophysics, focusing on compact objects (neutron stars, black holes, and white dwarfs), high energy astrophysics (X-rays), and accretion.
Teaching
I have taught upper-level astrophysics courses (Stellar Astrophysics; Galactic & Extragalactic Astrophysics), graduate astrophysics (High-Energy Astrophysics), and introductory physics and astrophysics (Physics 124; Engineering Physics 131; Astrophysics 122). I often take Physics 499 students for small research projects.
Courses
ASTRO 122 - Astronomy of Stars and Galaxies
The development of our understanding of the universe, including current models of stellar evolution and cosmology. Emphasis on understanding the physical processes underlying astronomical phenomena. Viewing experience will be available using the campus observatory. Prerequisites: Mathematics 30-1 and Physics 30. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has been obtained in ASTRO 101.
ASTRO 322 - Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics
The interstellar medium and interstellar reddening; galactic structure; kinematics and dynamics of stars in galaxies; quasars; introduction of cosmology. Prerequisites: MATH 115, 118, 136, 146, or 156 and one of PHYS 124, PHYS 144, or EN PH 131, and one of PHYS 126, PHYS 146, or PHYS 130, and PHYS 208 or 271. Previous knowledge of astronomy is advantageous. ASTRO 320 is strongly recommended.
Featured Publications
W. C. G. Ho, C. O. Heinke
Nature. 462 (7269):71-73