Course: A401 Theoretical astrophysics I - Astrophysics of stellar interiors

Lecturer: prof. dr hab. Wojciech Dziembowski

Semester: winter

Lecture hours per week: 3

Class hours per week: 3

Code: 13.707A401

Credits: 7,5

Syllabus:

(in brackets approximate number of hours):

Introduction (1);

Equilibrium conditions for gaseous spheres, numerical modeling of stellar evolution (7);

Interpretation of H-R diagrams for stellar systems (2);

More about astrophysical equation of state (2);

Radiative transport of energy, (3);

Nuclear reactions (4); Convection (2);

Theory of stellar rotation (4);

Element diffusion and mixing (2);

Theory of pulsation (4);

Mechanisms of mass loss (1);

Standard solar model, helioseismology (3);

Evolution of binary systems with mass exchange, accretion discs (4).

C.J. Hansen, S.D Kawaler, Stellar Interiors, Physical Principles, Structure and Evolution, Springer, 1993.

Prerequisites:

Physics I, II, III, IV, Mathematical analysis, Observational astrophysics.

Pass of class exercises, examination.

Course: A402 Celestial mechanics

Lecturer: dr Tomasz Kwast

Semester: winter and summer

Lecture hours per week: 2

Class hours per week: 2

Code: 13.707A402

Credits: 10

Integrals of motion, orbits, perturbations.

Orbit finding and correcting.

Analytical theory of planetary motions; motion of the Moon.

Three body problem.

Structure of the Galaxy, star counts.

Motion of the Sun in the Galaxy.

Star motions and Galaxy rotation: Oort theory.

Distribution function for stars and the Boltzmann equation.

Stationary model of the Galaxy.

Star encounters, relaxation and the evolution of the distribution function.

Spiral structure: Lin theory.

Figures of equilibrium.

S. Wierzbiński, Mechanika nieba.

W. Zonn, K. Rudnicki, Astronomia gwiazdowa.

J. Binney, S. Tremaine, Galactic dynamics.

S. Chandrasekhar, Principles of stellar dynamics.

Suggested: Mathematical analysis, Classical mechanics or Theoretical mechanics.

Pass of class exercises, examination.

Course: A404 Advanced astronomical laboratory

Head: dr Irena Semeniuk

Semester: winter and summer

Lecture hours per week: 0

Class hours per week: 3

Code: 13.707A404

Credits: 3,5

The lab gives the students the ability to make photometric CCD observations and their reduction. CCD detectors are now widely used in astronomy. The observations from the beginning have the form of digital images and specific methods for data reduction are required.

The individual project includes all the elements necessary to perform CCD photometric observations. First a finding map is made in Warsaw. Then the observations are made at Ostrowik Station during 1-3 nights with good weather under the guidance of a qualified observer. The data are stored for the reduction, which is performed using the computers of the Observatory. The student is taught how to use the IRAF, DAOphot and Ophot packages and the programs for time dependence analysis. With the help of the software the student measures the fluxes of radiation from objects of interest and/or their luminosity curves and/or the periodograms of the signal.

Literature:

Suggested: Introduction to astronomy I and II

Required: Introduction to general astrophysics

Examination:

Course: A405 Theoretical astrophysics II – Stellar atmospheres

Lecturer: dr Krzysztof Jahn

Semester: summer

Lecture hours per week: 4

Class hours per week: 4

Code: 13.707A405

Credits: 10

Interactions between radiation and matter; extinction coefficient; absorption and thermal emission; scattering; angular and frequency redistribution

Equation of radiation transfer; boundary conditions

General description of an atmosphere in hydrostatic equilibrium

Grey atmospheres: Eddington approximation; Chandrasekhar method; iterative methods

Atmospheres in LTE; solving the differential or integral equation of radiation transfer, corrections for temperature distribution

Line spectra: classical description, non-LTE treatment; line source function, non-LTE transfer equation; statistical equilibrium

Transfer equation in moving medium; continuum and line radiation; stellar winds

K. Stępień, Atmosfery gwiazd.

D. Mihalas, Stellar atmospheres.

Thermodynamics or Statistical physics; Electrodynamics; Stellar interiors

Pass of class exercises, examination.

Course: A406 Extragalactic astronomy

Lecturer: prof. dr hab. A. Kruszewski

Semester: summer

Lecture hours per week: 2

Class hours per week: 2

Code: 13.707A406

Credits: 5

I. Visible Universe

historical remarks

galaxies, morphological classification, groups, clusters, superclusters

other objects: radiogalaxies, QSOs, AGNs, X-ray sources, gamma bursters microwave background radiation

extragalactic distance ladder

measuring luminosities, masses and stellar populations

evidence for dark matter

II. Theory

Einstein equations, Robertson-Walker metric, solutions, Mattig formula

standard Big-Bang model, early epochs, primordial nucleosynthesis, decoupling, reionisation

inflation, primordial inhomogenities, gravitational instability, Press Schechter anzatz, biasing,c old dark matter

III. Confrontation of models with observations

measuring the geometry of the Universe

measuring the matter content

measuring the power spectrum of mass fluctuations and its evolution

formation and evolution of galaxies

current and future observational projects

M. Jaroszyński, Galaktyki i budowa Wszechswiata.

P. J. E. Peebles, Principles of Physical Cosmology.

Mathematical analysis, Introduction to Astronomy.

Pass of class exercises, examination.

Course: A501 Selected topics of theoretical astrophysics - Magnetohydrodynamics

Lecturer: dr Krzysztof Jahn

Semester: winter

Lecture hours per week: 2

Class hours per week: 2

Code: 13.709A501

Credits: 5

Syllabus:

Literature:

Prerequisites:

Examination: