OVERVIEW

The course offers an introduction to the basic elements of astrophysics and cosmology, providing knowledge on both the most relevant processes and on experimental techniques.
 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the foundations of Astrophysics and Cosmology with particular attention to their connection with the physics of elementary particles and nuclear physics, both experimental and theoretical.
 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will have knowledge about the interaction and propagation of photons and charged particles and their experimental detection, elements of observational astronomy, stellar physics and galactic dynamics, as well as elements of general relativity and cosmology, so to be able to describe the evolution of the universe on a large scale. The student will also acquire the necessary skills to plan measurements of astrophysical and cosmological interest with optical telescopes, taking into account all the problems related to the phenomenon to be observed and the instrumentation.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge from compulsory courses on classical physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism), relativity, nuclear reactions

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes lectures with the use of educational material that will be provided to students. Simple software tools will also be used for the preparation of an observational campaign with an optical telescope and the possibility is foreseen of conducting an observation with an optical telescope.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Refer to the compulsory courses
• Observables and units of measurement of astrophysical / cosmological interest
• Mechanisms of emission of electromagnetic radiation from astrophysical sources and their detection
  • instruments
  • relevant objects observable in the various bands
• Stellar and galactic dynamics
  • Stars equilibrium conditions in the various evolutionary phases
  • Typologies and structures of galaxies
  • Dark matter
  • Active galaxies and high energy astrophysics
• The universe on a large scale
  • Experimental cosmology
  • Cosmic background radiation
  • Dark energy
• Experimental activity with an optical telescope
  • Planning an observational campaign for one of the objects studied during the course and possible data acquisition

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes

T. Padmanabhan - Invitation to Astrophysics

S. Weinberg - Gravitation and Cosmology

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SILVANO TOSI (President)

GIANANGELO BRACCO

FLAVIO GATTI

MARCO PALLAVICINI

ALESSANDRO PETROLINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semestrer a.a. 2018-2019

Class schedule

FOUNDATIONS OF ASTROPHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam. Oral exams typically last 20 to 40 minutes with questions aimed at verifying the understanding of the phenomena described during the course. The students may decide to prepare a small research on one of the topics presented during the course (either from a theoretical or an experimental point of view) and present the work during the oral exam. This structure allows the examining commission to evaluate the level of knowledge reached by students.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

An oral exam with questions by the commission aimed at verifying the level of understanding of the subject. The possibility is foreseen to prepare a small research on one of the topics presented during the classes.

Exam schedule