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.
• acquire research-based knowledge within observational astrophysics
• present, summarize and interpret relevant scientific articles.

This course deals with some of the most energetic objects and phenomena in the Universe. It goes deep into different phases of stellar evolution and related variability, such as stellar oscillations.
The course provides further insight into highly energetic astrophysical phenomena through their observational properties, including temporal and spectral variations. Examples include gamma-ray bursts, supernova explosions and their remnants, accretion processes around white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes in X-ray binaries, active galaxies harbouring a supermassive black hole at their centre, and gigantic clusters of galaxies.
High-energy astrophysics is a very active area of modern astronomy, and much of what we know about its objects comes from observational studies. The latest research in the field, both from the course’s lecturers and from international collaborations, is presented. The physical processes, thermal and non-thermal, that produce the observed electromagnetic radiation are explained.
These highly energetic phenomena also emit non-electromagnetic radiation, and the course therefore touches upon observations of gravitational waves.

30120/30121/10024/10034/10036/30400

Lectures, interactive discussions, and exercises.