Astrophysics and astroparticles

lphys2221  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Astrophysics and astroparticles
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
30.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Piotrzkowski Krzysztof;
Language
English
Main themes
'      Short overview of astronomy and its basic concepts.
'      Formation and evolution of stars ; stellar collapses.
'      Neutron stars, pulsars and black holes.
'      Galaxies and galactic centers ; dark matter and cosmic rays.
'      Binary systems and gravitational waves.
'      Cosmic microwave background radiation and evolution of universe.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 a.     Contribution of the teaching unit to the learning outcomes of the programme (PHYS2M and PHYS2M1)
AA1 : A1.2, A1.6
AA2 : A2.1, A2.5
AA3 : A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A3.4
AA4 : A4.1, A4.2
AA5 : A5.1, A5.2, A5.3, A5.4
AA6 : A6.1
AA7 : A7.1, A7.3, A7.4
AA8 : A8.1
b.    Specific learning outcomes of the teaching unit
By the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to :
1.     applyfundamental physics laws for modeling crucial phenomena in astrophysics ;
2.     explain and discussthe roles of both nuclear reactions and fundamental interactions in stellar evolution ;
3.     explain and discuss the specific mechanisms behind the variety of major phenomena in astrophysics ;
4.     further the study of a specific topic of modern astrophysics ;
5.     relate the contents of the course to current developments in astrophysics as well as in astroparticle physics.
 
Content
  • Fundamental notions of astronomy, units and variables, basic measurements ; star catalogues (spectra & luminosities); Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
  • Star formation mechanisms ; stellar lifetimes and energy sources ; stellar equation of state, nuclear fusion and star evolution ; astrophysics of the Sun and solar neutrinos.
  • Astrophysics of neutron stars and pulsars ; phenomenology of the black holes.
  • Stellar collapses and origin of elements ; mechanisms behind the Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs).
  • Characterization of galaxies and the dark matter problem ; phenomenology of the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) ; characterization of the cosmic rays and modelling their sources.
  • Merging of the binary systems and multi-messenger astronomy ; sources of gravitational waves.
  • Origin of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation and its characteristics ; studies of the early Universe.
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Traditional lectures in class.
Integrative personal project - subject left to the student’s choice.
Reading portfolio for personal study.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Written examination with exercises combined with an individual oral exam based on a personal project report.
Bibliography
  • K. Lang, Essential Astrophysics (Springer, Berlin, 2013).
  • W. Kundt, Astrophysics: A New Approach (Springer, Berlin, 2005).
  • G. Sigl, Astroparticle Physics: Theory and Phenomenology (Atlantis Press, Paris, 2017).
Faculty or entity
PHYS


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Master [60] in Physics

Master [120] in Physics