Print

2017　Astrophysics

Font size  SML

Register update notification mail Add to favorite lecture list
Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Physics
Instructor(s)
Matsuhara Hideo 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon9-10(H116)  
Group
-
Course number
PHY.F432
Credits
1
Academic year
2017
Offered quarter
3Q
Syllabus updated
2017/3/27
Lecture notes updated
2017/11/20
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

This course covers the various celestial bodies that exist in the universe, such as stars and galaxies, as well as their structure, birth, and evolution. Thanks to developments in observing the universe in recent years, in particular the operation of space telescopes, our understanding of celestial phenomena has advanced in leaps and bounds. We will cover various celestial phenomena, in connection with the latest observational results. We will also cover the radiative process of electromagnetic waves and particles necessary for understanding these kinds of celestial phenomena.
The goal of this course is to utilize knowledge in mechanics, electromagnetism, thermal and statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, etc. learned up to this point to explain our view of the universe based on the latest observations from a physics viewpoint.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to
1) Explain underlying physics of the various phenomena in the universe.
2) Explain the phenomena revealed by the latest space observations.
3) Explain characteristics of black-body radiation, spectral line emission from atoms and ions, and non-thermal emission, which are important to understand the universe.

Keywords

Universe, astronomy, stars

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Lectures will be held by explaining the latest observational results using slides, and explaining phenomena on the blackboard.　 The slides are basically written in English for foreign students, with partial Japanese translation. This course will be given in Japanese.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Basic of the observational astrophysics Explain the definition of the celestial coordinate system, basic words used for optical, infrared and radio astronomy.
Class 2 Stars and galaxies Explain the basic physical parameters of stars and galaxies.
Class 3 Interstellar Matter (gas) Explain the classification, and measurement methods of interstellar gas.
Class 4 Interstellar Matter (dust grains) Explain the spectral difference between the thermal and non-thermal emission.
Class 5 Basic of radiative transfer Understand the basic framework of radiative transfer.
Class 6 Black-body radiation Understand the derivation of black-body radiation, and its basic properties.
Class 7 Free-free radiation Understand the basic properties of free-free radiation.
Class 8 Expansion of the universe and galaxy evolution Explain the history of the Universe emerged from observational facts.

Textbook(s)

none required

Reference books, course materials, etc.

・M. Harwit "Astrophysical Concepts (4thed.)" (Springer)
・S. Okamura et al. "Series modern astronomy (17 vol)"、 Nihon Hyouronsha （Japanese）
・G.B. Rybicki & A.P. Lightman "Radiative　Process in Astrophysics" (John Wiley & Sons, NY)

Assessment criteria and methods

assesment is based on the writen report.

Related courses

  • LAS.P101 ： Fundamentals of Mechanics 1
  • PHY.E205 ： Electromagnetism
  • EPS.B330 ： Fluid Mechanics (EPS course)
  • PHY.S209 ： Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • PHY.S301 ： Statistical Mechanics
  • PHY.F352 ： Physics of the Universe
  • PHY.Q207 ： Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment of related courses are desirable.

Page Top