Astrophysics

Paper Code: 
PHY 127
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

1.     To show how basic phyical principles can be applied to understand a variety of astrophysical objects and phenomena. 

2.     To study  the physics of Celestial sphere, Basic stellar parameters, Optical telescopes, Sun, Solar system & Milkyway.

3.     To enable the students to take up independently studies of astronomy and work further in Astro-physics.

Course Outcomes (COs):

 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment

Strategies

PAPER CODE

Paper Title

 

PHY 127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Astrophysics (Theory)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students will be able to:

 

CO28: ability to comprehend astronomical scales and understand basic concepts of positional astronomy and basic parameters of stars.

CO29: understand astronomical techniques, various types of optical telescopes and telescope mountings. Various types of detectors and their use with telescopes.

CO30: understanding Physics of sun and solar system: photosphere, chromosphere, corona, solar activity. Solar MHD, helioseismology, solar system and its origin.

CO31: acquire about the basic knowledge of galaxies, Milky Way, dark matter and its properties.

 

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

Assessment Strategies

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems, Assignments, Presentations

 

5.00
Unit I: 
I

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).

 

7.00
Unit II: 
II

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.

 

6.00
Unit III: 
III

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.

 

7.00
Unit IV: 
IV

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.

5.00
Unit V: 
V

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.

References: 
  • Astronomy: Principles and practice, AE Roy and D Clarke
  • Astrophysics for Physicists, Arnab Rai Choudhary
  • An introduction to Astrophysics, Baidyanath Basu

 

Academic Year: 
2021-2022
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