Topics of Modern Astrophysics

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

This unit has lectures and tutorial lessons. The programme's content is presented and discussed in both classes; the tutorial classes are mainly for proximity discussions in which students are encouraged to actively participate, with complementary or related topics that they have previously prepared, to make the analysis of recent research papers (reference magazines, e.g., Nature, Science, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrophysical Journal, Annual Reviews A & A, etc.) and generally to consider applications and solve problems.

Learning Outcomes

Main specific skills:
Broad general extended culture in astrophysics
Theoretical understanding of physical phenomena in astrophysics
Ability to solve astrophysical problems
Acquire a broad view of the world and the universe and understand on what basis it rests
Critical ability to understand new advances in astrophysics and cosmology.
Being able to read scientific/dissemination articles in the various fields of astrophysics and understand the scope of these findings.

Secondary specific skills:
Mathematical skills to solve problems.
Autonomy to learn and articulate concepts.
Ability to search and use specialized bibliography.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The observable universe

2. Essential physical concepts in astrophysics
The virial of gases NR, UR and molecular

3. Star formation
interstellar clouds, condensation, T-Tauri stars, jets

4. Gases and processes of transport
Equations of state of degenerate gases and photons.
Transport processes. Opacity. Thermal gradient

5. Stars
Stellar modeling
Saha equation
Thermonuclear processes
Chandrasekhar mass

6. Stellar evolution
Hertzsprung-Russell
Main sequence (MS)
Stages pre and post MS
Massive stars
Pulsed stars

7. Supernovae, compact stars and pulsars

8. Scales and cosmic distances

9. Galaxies
Dynamics of galaxies
Dark matter and black holes
Active galaxies and quasars

10. Big Bang cosmology
Primordial abundances
Cosmic microwave background
Expansion of the universe models. Friedmann equation. Hubble constant. Dark Energy
Einstein equation. Gravitational waves
Standard cosmological model

Head Lecturer(s)

Carlos Manuel Baptista Fiolhais

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

Harwit, M., Astrophysical Concepts, 4th ed., Springer, 2006.
Kippenhahn, Wigert, Weiss, Stellar Structure and Evolution, 2nd ed., Springer, 2012.
Hansen, Kawaler, Trimble, Stellar Interiors, 2nd ed., Springer, 2004.
Longair, High Energy Astrophysics, 3rd ed.,  Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012.
Phillips, The Physics of Stars, 2nd. ed., Wiley, 1999.
Stahler, Palla, The Formation of Stars, Wiley, 2011.
Prialnik, Theory of Stellar Structure and Evolution, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2011.
Padmanabhan, Theoretical Astrophysics, Vol. 1, 2 e 3, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2000.
Schneider, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology, Springer, 2006.
Ryden, Introduction to Cosmology, Addison-Wesley, 2003.
Kolb, Turner, The Early Universe, Addison-Wesley, 1994.
Duric, Advanced Astrophysics, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2003.
Freedman, Geller, Kaufmann, Universe, 10th ed., Freeman, 2013.