Physical processes in astronomy

• describe the wide range of astrophysical sources of electromagnetic and non-electromagnetic radiations
• distinguish the astrophysical processes that produce high energy emission, and relate them to the variety of X-ray sources
• explain the physical mechanisms involved at different stages of stellar evolution for different stellar masses
• Identify and describe causes of stellar variability and their observable effects
• derive and compare the fundamental properties of compact objects (white dwarves, neutron stars and black holes) and their creation as the last stages of stellar evolution
• derive and compare the properties of the X-ray binaries and the basic physics involved in accretion mechanisms
• explain transient phenomena associated with stellar explosions and mergers of compact objects, including supernovae and gamma-ray bursts
• describe the phenomena that occur in the center of active galaxies
• explain and exploit X-ray observations of clusters of galaxies.
• utilize theory to quantify astrophysical properties, such as luminosity, flux, temperature, mass, distance, etc.
• present, summarize and interpret relevant scientific articles.

This course deals with some of the Universe’s most energetic objects and phenomena. It goes deep into different phases of stellar evolution and related variability, such as stellar oscillations.
The course gives further explanations of highly energetic astrophysical phenomena through their observational properties, such as temporal and spectral variations. Examples are supernova remnants, accretion mechanisms around white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes in X-ray binaries, active galaxies harbouring a supermassive black hole in their centre, and gigantic clusters of galaxies.

High-energy astrophysics is a very active area of modern astronomy, and most of what we know about its objects comes from observational studies. The physical processes, thermal or non-thermal, that produce the observed electromagnetic radiations are explained.
Non-electromagnetic radiations are also emitted by these high-energetic phenomena, so the course also touches upon observations of gravitational waves.

• 36 – 49 (Fri 13-17)

30120/30121/10024/10034/10036/30400

Lectures, interactive discussions, and exercises.