Astrophysical Processes

PHYS60591 Astrophysical Processes 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Rebecca Bowler Unit coordinator Rene Breton Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Undefined ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 To introduce a wide range of fundamental astrophysical processes and their role in modern astrophysics. These processes range from those which control the structure of the interstellar medium to those associated with supermassive black holes in the centre of galaxies. The observational signatures of these processes are identified, which cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-ray and include non-photonic tracers such as cosmic rays.    To introduce a wide range of fundamental astrophysical processes and their role in modern astrophysics. These processes range from those which control the structure of the interstellar medium to those associated with supermassive black holes in the centre of galaxies. The observational signatures of these processes are identified, which cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-ray and include non-photonic tracers such as cosmic rays.    To introduce a wide range of fundamental astrophysical processes and their role in modern astrophysics. These processes range from those which control the structure of the interstellar medium to those associated with supermassive black holes in the centre of galaxies. The observational signatures of these processes are identified, which cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-ray and include non-photonic tracers such as cosmic rays.   On completion successful students will be able to: On completion successful students will be able to:On completion successful students will be able to: <ol><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">Explain fundamental physical processes, such as<ol><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">shock waves</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">accretion</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">radiative transfer</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">the physical mechanisms controlling the ionisation and temperature of atoms, molecules and dust and the processes responsible for the formation of complex species in space.</li></ol></li></ol> <ol><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">Apply fundamental physical processes in contexts relevant in astrophysics </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">Describe the sky as seen across the electromagnetic spectrum and non-photonic messengers and the involved radiation mechanisms.</li></ol> <ol><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;margin-left:21.3pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list 21.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-21.3pt;">Relate observations of a wide range of astrophysical sources to their physical conditions </li></ol>  a) Introduction: observations and astrophysical processesb) Absorption and emission: radiative transfer and blackbody radiationc) Grains and molecules in spaced) Shocks waves, supernovae and supernova remnantse) Spectral lines: their formation and diagnosticsf) The composition and dynamics of the ISM, heating/cooling mechanisms and ionisationg) Non-thermal emission processesh) Compact objects and accretion on neutron stars and black holesi)  Supermassive black holes, and Active Galactic Nucleij) Multi-messenger astrophysics 1 Written exam 100% Feedback will be offered to the cohort on the common difficulties on the weekly questions sheets, model answers will be issued. PHYS10101 Dynamics Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS10191 Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS10352 Properties of Matter Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHYS20141 Electromagnetism Pre-Requisite Compulsory Dyson, J.E. & Williams, D.A. The Physics of the Interstellar Medium (2nd ed.) (IOP Publishing)Rosswog, S. & Bruggen, M. Introduction to High-Energy Astrophysics (CUP) 0 0 0