Introduction to astrophysics

brak

przedmiot fakultatywny

Contact hours with teacher:

- participation in lectures - 30 hrs

Self-study hours:

- preparation for lectures - 10 hrs

- reading literature - 15 hrs

- preparation for examination- 20 hrs

Altogether: 75 hrs (3 ECTS)

Student

W1: has basic knowledge of physical processes essential to astronomy (K_W04)

W2: knows the latest results of scientific investigations of planets, stars, galaxies, and the Universe as a whole (K_W06)

W3: is familiar with astronomical terminology

Student

U1: is able to describe the fundamental achievements of contemporary astrophysics (K_U08)

U2: can explain basic astronomical phenomena (K_U10)

Student

K1: understands the significance to humanity of the Copernicus revolution (K_K02)

Expository teaching methods:

- participatory lecture

- wykład konwersatoryjny

This course is intended for students who lack a basic knowledge in astrophysics. The astronomical terminology will be introduced, and a review of astronomical objects and associated physical processes will be given. The lectures will be presented by several scientists specializing in different particular fields of research.

Our place in the Universe: Earth and celestial sphere, importance of astronomy for science and philosophy, life in the Universe.

Astronomical observations: contemporary astronomical instruments, observations at different wavelengths of radiation, distance scale, black-body radiation.

The Solar system and extrasolar planetary systems: contemporary knowledge of the Solar system, methods of searching and investigating extrasolar planets, orbital architectures, planet formation theories and astrophysical processes in circumstellar discs and environment, Earth-like planets.

Sun and other stars: fundamentals of stellar spectroscopy, spectral line formation, a review of stellar spectra, stellar types and stellar variability, overview of binary stars, details of the structure of the Sun, contemporary problems of solar physics.

Galaxies and the Universe: structure of the Universe at large scales, from galaxies through clusters and superclusters up to microwave background radiation and big-bang, theories of the evolution of the Universe.

Assessment methods:

- written examination - W1, W2, W3, U1, U2, K1, K2

Assessment criteria:

fail- below 60 pts (below 60%)

satisfactory- 60 pts (60%)

satisfactory plus- 65 pts (65%)

good - 70 pts (70%)

good plus- 75 pts (75%)

very good- 80 pts (80%)