Astrophysics 3 (U03212)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PHY-3-AstPhys3

Students are introduced to the physics of stars and their influence on their galactic environment. The basic observational properties of stars are reviewed including the HR diagram, followed by a discussion of the physical structure of stars on the Main Sequence to their final states as exotic objects: white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The interactions of stars with their surroundings are described. Topics covered are HII regions around young stars, stellar winds, and supernova remnants.

A broad introduction of the extragalactic universe. The
course covers the properties of our own Galaxy, the basic properties and evolution of other galaxies, the large scale structure of the Universe and the properties and physics of active galactic nuclei.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Physics 2B: Waves, Quantum Physics and Materials (PHY-2-B); Foundations of Mathematical Physics (PHY-2-FoMP) or Principles of Mathematical Physics (PHY-2-PoMP).

? Prohibited combinations : Physics of Stars and Nebulae (pre-2006) Galaxies, Quasars and the Universe (pre-2006)

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Astrophysics 3 (VS1) (Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2))
Astrophysics 3 (VS2) (Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4))

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 22 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
19/09/2006	12:00	13:00			ROE

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	12:10	13:00	Other
Lecture	Friday	12:10	13:00	Other

? Additional Class Information : Workshop/tutorial sessions, as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
Stars:
1)describe physics of structure, apply hydrostatic equilibrium and radiative diffusion equations to get physical conditions/time scales
2)state energy production source and process
3)describe how energy produced at centre is transported, and relation to convective instability
4)describe colour-magnitude diagram on Main-sequence, based on physics
5)derive equation of state of degenerate gas, describe the degeneracy pressure and support of white dwarfs and neutron stars; explain Chandrasekhar limit
ISM:
6)explain photoionization equilibrium; estimate the Stromgren radius; describe how temperature and density are measured
7)describe fluid dynamics equations; derive sound speed, shock jump conditions
8)define equatorial coordinate system, local siderial time; explain where and when to undertake observations of an astronomical object
9)calculate and correct for the damage on light from both interstellar dust and the earth's atmosphere
Galaxies:
10)Describe, with quantitative detail, contents and basic structure of Milky Way, and morphologies and contents of others
11)Derive formulae to derive velocity structure; apply, given summarised data
12)Explain, with mathematics how masses are deduced, and how Cosmological Distance Ladder is used
13)Provide a quantitative overview of demographics, including number counts, luminosity functions, and the statistical description of large-scale clustering
Cosmology:
14)Summarize basic observational evidence for the Big Bang, and the latest observations use to estimate key cosmological parameters
15)Derive, solve equations describing dynamics of expanding, isotropic and homogenous Universe
16)Derive equations to determine nature of central engine in quasars and other AGN; make estimates of physical quantities
17)Give quantitative overview of our current understanding of the nature and evolution of AGN