6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Physics and Astronomy
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
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. Astronomical data reduction.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Understand the nature of stars - their life histories, how they produce energy, how they synthesise the chemical elements, and their ultimate fates;
- Build a simple polytropic numerical stellar model;
- Distinguish and discuss different types of galaxies;
- Understand the relationships between stellar evolution, galactic evolution, and the creation of the elements;
- Model computationally the motion of stars in galaxies;
- Understand the implications of the observed nature of galaxies for theories of the universe;
- Describe the morphology and kinematics of the Milky Way;
- Understand the significance of dark matter to galactic structure;
- Understand the use of optical telescopes for data collection;
- Write an observational research report.
Assessment
Examination (3 hours): 60%
Assignments: 20%
Computer laboratories: 10%
Observation Report: 10%
Workload requirements
Three 1-hour lectures per week
One 1-hour support-class per week
One 2-hour computer laboratory per week
Six hours of independent study per week
See also Unit timetable information