Undergraduate - UnitASP3012 - Stars and galaxies

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Synopsis

Stellar photometry; observing the stars; star formation; equation of state; reduced equations of stellar structure; polytropic stellar models; full equations of stellar structure; the main sequence; post-main-sequence evolution. Galactic morphology and stellar content; elliptical and spiral galaxies; large-scale structure of the Milky Way; dark matter; potential theory; galactic dynamics-orbits in spherical and axisymmetric potentials. Field trip. Astronomical data reduction.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will: understand the nature of stars - their life histories, how they produce energy, how they synthesise the chemical elements, their ultimate fates; be able to build simple polytropic numerical stellar models; be able to distinguish and discuss the different galactic types; understand the relationships between stellar evolution, galactic evolution, and the creation of the elements; be able to model computationally the motion of stars in galaxies; understand the implications of the observed nature of galaxies for theories of the universe; be familiar with the morphology and kinematics of the Milky Way; understand the significance of Dark matter to galactic structure; be able to use a large research-level telescope, including for data collection and analysis.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 70%
Assignments: 20%
Field-trip report: 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Alina Donea

Contact hours

Three 1-hour lecture, one 1-hour support classes per week and one 1-hour computer laboratory in most weeks

Prerequisites

One of MTH2010 or MTH2015, plus MTH2032, or equivalent

Prohibitions

ASP3011