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2019　Astrophysics

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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
2019
Offered quarter
3Q
Syllabus updated
2019/9/26
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

In this course, I pick up various astronomical objects in the universe: stars and galaxies, and lecture their birth and evolution together with physical processes governing the phenomena and their emission mechanisms. Thanks to the recent developments in observing the universe, our understanding of astrophysical phenomena has advanced in leaps and bounds.
The goal of this course is to utilize knowledge in mechanics, electromagnetism, thermal and statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, etc. learned so far to explain the astrophysical phenomena obtained with 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 astrophysical phenomena in the universe.
2) Explain the phenomena revealed by the latest space observations.
3) Explain characteristics of black-body radiation, spectral lines from atoms and ions, which are important to understand the universe.

Keywords

Universe, astrophysics, 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 with partial Japanese translation. This course will be given in Japanese, but English is also used when foreign students attend.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Basic of the observational astrophysics Explain the astronomical coordinate system, and basic terms used in astronomy
Class 2 Stars and Galaxies Explain classification of stars and galaxies, their fundamental physical quantities
Class 3 Interstellar Matter (Gas) Explain the classification and characteristics of various interstellar gas and measurement probes
Class 4 Interstellar Matter (Dust) Explain the classification and characteristics of various interstellar dust and measurement probes
Class 5 Radiative Transfer Explain the basic framework of radiative transfer
Class 6 Black-body radiation Derive formula of black-body radiation, explain its basic characteristics
Class 7 Bremsstrahlung (free-free emission) Explain the basic characteristics of the bremsstrahlung
Class 8 Expanding Universe and galaxy evolution Explain history of the Universe from observations

Textbook(s)

none required

Reference books, course materials, etc.

・M. Harwit ``Astrophysical Concepts (4thed.)" (Springer)
・S. Okamura et al. "Series modern astronomy (vol.4, 8)"、 Nihon Hyouronsha (Japanese)
・G.B. Rybicki & A.P. Lightman "Radiative Process in Astrophysics" (John Wiley & Sons, NY)

Assessment criteria and methods

Submit report on the theme presented in the last lecture （tbc: to be confirmed).
Evaluation is based on the standard one (tbc).

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.

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