Coming soon
ASTROPHYSICS
- To show how basic phyical principles can be applied to understand a variety of astrophysical objects and phenomena.
- To study the physics of Celestial sphere, Basic stellar parameters, Optical telescopes, Sun, Solar system & Milkyway.
- To enable the students to take up independently studies of astronomy and work further in Astro-physics.
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Course |
Learning outcome (at course level) |
Learning and teaching strategies |
Assessment Strategies |
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Paper Code |
Paper Title |
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PHY 127 |
Astrophysics |
After the completion of the course the student will be able to
CO 34: Ability to comprehend astronomical scales and understand basic concepts of positional astronomy, like astronomical coordinate system and measurement of distances, time and temperature and radius of star.
CO 35: Understand basic parameters of stars like brightness, radiant flux, luminosity, magnitude, orbits, spectral classification. H-R diagram
CO 36: Understand astronomical techniques, various types of optical telescopes and telescope mountings. Various types of detectors and their use with telescopes.
CO 37: Understanding Physics of sun and solar system: photosphere, chromosphere, corona, solar activity. Solar MHD, helioseismology, solar system and its origin.
CO 38: Acquire basic knowledge of galaxies and Milky Way. Morphology and classification of galaxies, intrinsic stages of galaxies, galactic halo, milky way, gas and dust in galaxy, spiral arm, rotation of galaxy and dark matter. Star clusters in Milky Way, galactic nucleus and its properties.
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Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Solving problems in tutorials, Demonstration.
Learning activities for the students: Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation. Additional learning through online videos . |
Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems, Assignments, Presentations |
Celestial sphere, spherical geometry – spherical triangles, astronomical cordinate systems, coordinate conversions, Measurement of time, sidereal time, mean solar time, equation of time, calendars (lunar, Julian, solar).
Basic stellar parameters, stellar magnitude scale (apparent, absolute), distance modulus, stellar distance determination using parallax method, determination of temeperature and radius of a star, determination of stellar masses from binary orbits, stellar spectral classification, effective temperature, H-R diagram.
Optical telescopes – different types, mountings, detectors and their use (astrometry, photometry, spectroscopy), magnification and light gathering power, resolving power and diffraction limit, limiting magnitude, atmospheric windows.
The Sun: photosphere, chromosphere, corona, prominences, sunspots, sunspot cycle, solar flares, solar wind, solar terrestrial relations (space weather), energy transport from the core to surface, basic stellar structure (hydrostatic equilibrium, equation of state), basics of solar magneto-hydro dynamics, helio-seismology.
Solar system: planets, satellites, asteroids & comets, Titus-Bode law. Extra-solar planets. Are we alone ?
Milkyway: size & shape of our galaxy, star count analysis, star clusters (open, globular), Shapley's model, structure, nature of rotation, missing mass problem.
- Astronomy: Principles and practice, AE Roy and D Clarke
- Astrophysics for Physicists, Arnab Rai Choudhary
- An introduction to Astrophysics, Baidyanath Basu
