Extreme Astrophysics

Code

PHYS4009

School

Physics and Astronomy

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

This module explores the physical processes involved in the most extreme environments and explosive events known to astronomy.



Course Outline:

Introduction: overview of key phenomena; introduction to high-energy astrophysics and X-ray astronomy (1 lecture)

Degenerate stars: revision of stellar evolution; stellar death; degenerate matter; Chandrasekhar limit; white dwarfs; neutron stars; pulsars; extreme magnetic fields; magnetic braking (3 lectures) 

Radiation processes: synchrotron radiation; bremsstrahlung; Thomson scattering; compton scattering and inverse scattering (5 lectures)

Hot gas and galaxy clusters: the astrophysics of hot gas; hydrostatic models; gas cooling; mass estimation; dark matter; applications to cosmology; Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (3 lectures)

Supernovae and supernova remnants: core-collapse; supernova remnants; shocks; Sedov-Taylor expansion; snow-plough models; chemical enrichment (2 lectures)

Accretion and compact binary stars: Roche lobes; spherical accretion model; Eddington limit; magnetized accretion; binary pulsars; gamma-ray bursts (2 lectures)

Introduction to black holes: Newtonian definition; black holes in General Relativity; Hawking radiation; singularities; black hole binaries (1 lecture)

Quasars and supermassive black holes: active galaxies; quasars; evidence for black holes; accretion disk models; disk coronae; links to galaxy formation (2 lectures)

Target Students

Students in the 3rd year of Physics programmes. Students in the 3rd or 4th year of Mathematical Physics, CMP and Natural Sciences programmes.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• The Structure of Galaxies (PHYS3011)
• The Structure of Stars (PHYS3007)

Classes

This module is based on a series of lectures throughout the spring semester.

Assessment

• 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): Exam

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding 
On successful completion of the module, students will have enhanced their:

• A1 knowledge of a range of topics in high energy astrophysics.
• A2 knowledge and understanding of the scientific method.
• A3 understanding of how the basic principles of astrophysics are applied in a range of situations.
• A4 knowledge of the primary mathematical methods for the analysis of physical problems.

Intellectual Skills 
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated their ability to:

• B1 apply theoretical ideas to the quantitative analysis of physical situations.
• B2 apply high levels of numeracy and analysis.
• B3 apply techniques of problem solving.

Professional/Practical Skills 
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated their ability to:

• C1 formulate problems in astrophysics using appropriate mathematical language.

Transferable/Key Skills 
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated their ability to:

• D1 develop appropriate strategies for study, including the use of library, human, and electronic sources of information.
 

Conveners

• Professor Omar Almaini