ASTROFISICA I
Resolution of simple problems at home. Oral exam at the end of the course.
The course is an introduction to Astrophysics focussing in particular on the physics of stars. The student will get basic information on orders of magnitude relevant in Asrophysics, on mechanisms of energy production, on main sequence stars, and on degenerate stars. The student will be able to solve simple exercises on these subjects.
Electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-ray band. Neutrino and gravitational wave astronomy.
Dimension and mass of the Earth
Stellar parallax. Distance of the Sun and nearby stars
Radius and mass of the Sun
The black body spectrum
Apparent and absolute magnitudes
Stellar radii
HR diagram for nearby stars and stars in globular clusters
Two body problem
Masses of stars in binaries
Chemical composition of stars. Solar wind. Pop I and II.
Elements of classical electrodynamics
Formulae of Larmor, Lienard. Bremsstrahlung
Motion of a relativistic particle in a magnetic field
Synchrotron radiation
Compton effect
The Crab Nebula
Equation of radiative transport
Hydrostatic equilibrium
Thermal equilibrium
Radiative transport in a star
Convection
p-p and CNO cycles
Gamow peak
Solar model. Solar neutrino flux and its measurement
Stellar evolution in the HR diagram
Hayashi tracks
Degenerate gas (Fermi-Dirac)
White dwarf models. Chandrasekhar mass
Neutron stars
Supernovae
Gravitational collapse
E. Boehm-Vitense “Stellar Astrophysics Vol I.” Cambridge U. Press 1989
R. L. Bowers and T. Deeming “ Astrophysics I Stars” Jones and Bartlett 1984
M. Schwarzscild “Structure and Evolution of Stars” Princeton U. Press, 1958