OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide the skills for the study of astrophysical phenomena by exploiting in the most complete way possible the information they emit, both with photons of various energies and with other messengers (neutrinos and gravitational waves): the increase in knowledge of phenomena of the cosmos using such a multi-frequency, multi-messenger approach will be of enormous impact in the coming years.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide the knowledge necessary to face the modern challenges of astrophysics which uses measurements both in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (multi-frequency astrophysics) and with different messengers (multi-messenger astrophysics). 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide the knowledge necessary to face the modern challenges of astrophysics which uses measurements both in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (multi-frequency astrophysics) and with different messengers (multi-messenger astrophysics). The information conveyed by photons of different energies, by neutrinos and by gravitational waves allows us to significantly expand our knowledge of the functioning of cosmic phenomena.

Students will learn the different measurement techniques used in multi-frequency and multi-messenger astrophysics, including the alert system for simultaneously observing a source with multiple different instruments, and the physical phenomena at the heart of modern cutting-edge research in astrophysics, both on a galactic and extra galactic.

PREREQUISITES

The courses of the bachelor's degree program in physics

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons at the board, using slides and providing examples of usage of professional astronomical catalogues and analysis of scientific data from various experiments

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

I: Production mechanisms of astrophysical messengers

• Power spectra of thermal and non-thermal emission processes: synchrotron, inverse Compton scattering, thermal Bremsstrahlung, e+-e- pair production, leptonic and hadronic showers, Cherenkov effect.

• Spectral energy distribution for different sources.

• Models with photon emission from radio to gamma, neutrinos and/or gravitational waves. Cosmic accelerators, Pevatron.

II: Tools of multi-frequency astrophysics

• Introduction to optical systems and characteristic parameters.

• Ground and space detection instruments

• Optical and infrared telescopes

• Polarimetry and spectrography

• Radio astronomy and interferometry

• Astrophysics

• Gamma telescopes, Cherenkov telescopes

• Active and adaptive optics

III: Multi-messenger studies of astrophysical phenomena

• Sources detectable on multiple bands of electromagnetic radiation (photons), candidates for multi-messenger emission with gravitational waves, neutrinos, cosmic rays (even high energy ones)

• SMBHs and AGN (Active Galactic Nuclei)

• Pulsar Wind Nebulae and Magnetars

• Multiple systems of compact objects

• Gamma ray burst, Supernovae, Kilonovae and Hypernovae

IV: Towards an overall vision

• Correlate observations in different bands and with different messengers

• Use of astrophysical catalogs

• The alert system

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Probes of Multimessenger Astrophysics - M. Spurio

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SILVANO TOSI (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Standard oral exam at the blackboard, with a question chosen by the student and questions from the commission. Students may also a detailed study on a topic of their choice: the exam will then consist in the presentation of the study, followed by questiond from the commmission.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam consists of an oral test that includes questions from the commission on the topics of the course and a question on a topic chosen by the students. 

Students may also a detailed study on a topic of their choice: the exam will then consist in the presentation of the study, followed by questiond from the commmission.

On average, the exam lasts about 30 minutes for each student. The questions are aimed at ascertaining the degree of knowledge and mastery of the topics developed by the students, as well as the clarity of presentation and the properties of the language of the discipline, in order to elaborate the final evaluation.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.