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Description
This is a rather mathematical module, so students need to be familiar with vector calculus, tensor calculus, basic formalism of General Relativity, special functions and Fourier transforms, Lagrangian formalism, electromagnetism, radiative transfer. Topics covered by the module: The scope of high energy astrophysics. Prerequisites, units. Blackbody radiation. Classic Electromagnetic theory, wave equations, vector and scalar potential. Special relativity and four-momentum, aberration and Doppler effects. General relativity and black holes: Space-time and metric, Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes. Properties of the event horizon, Ergospheres. Radiation processes: Cyclotron and Synchrotron radiation. Thomson and Compton scattering, Thermal Bremsstrahlung radiation, Free-bound, bound-free and bound-bound processes. Plus a selection of the following topics: Cosmic rays: Origin, spectrum, angular distribution. Supernovae: Stellar collapse, Supernova remnants, evolution and observational properties. Neutron stars: Model, Pulsars, Magnetars. Accretion onto compact objects: Eddington limit, Bondi accretion flows. Jets. New generation astrophysics: Gravitational wave astronomy, Neutrino astrophysics.
This course aims to:
- provide a practical rather than mathematical introduction to General Relativity and the properties of black holes
- derive a simple mathematical formulation of the mechanisms which lead to the production of high energy photons in the Universe, and of the absorption processes which they undergo on their path to Earth
- provide a quantitative account of cosmic sources and phenomena involving the generation of high energy photons and particles
- train students to apply the mathematical formulations derived in the course to realistic astrophysical situations, to derive parameters and properties of cosmic sources of high energy radiation, in a fashion similar to that commonly applied in research projects
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- derive, using practical considerations and a simple mathematical treatment, the expression of the space-time metric appropriate in the vicinity of a non-rotating mass and the properties of non-rotating black holes, and demonstrate knowledge of the properties of rotating black holes
- derive a mathematical formulation of the mechanisms that lead to the production of high energy photons and of those that cause their absorption on their path to Earth
- describe, basing on the application of basic mechanics and electromagnetic theory, the characteristics of celestial sources of high energy radiation, such as cosmic ray sources, Galactic and extra-galactic X-Ray sources; deduce their physical parameters by practical application of physical laws and formulae
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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