This module is one of the Year 1 Physics Skills and Specialism modules.
There are three components to these modules: the lectures on the specialist topic, plus Computing classes and the Year 1 Physics Essay. The latter two are common to all skills and specialism options and their content is not related to the specialist lectures.
This module introduces students to the basic principles of theoretical and observational astrophysics. Our current knowledge of our position in our galaxy and the Universe is reviewed. Problems of observing from the Earth and from Space are outlined, and the basic concepts of positional astronomy and the magnitude scale are introduced. Elementary concepts of physics learnt elsewhere are applied to understand the relation between colours of stars, their age and temperature, the evolution of stars throughout their lifetime and the generation of energy in them. The Milky Way is studied in comparison to other galaxies, and the principles of extragalactic study, including measuring distances to them, are introduced. We also review the current understanding of the Hot Big Bang and the subsequent evolution of the Universe, and the evidence that the latter is predominantly made up of dark matter.
The Computing element consists of weekly classes and exercises in the use of a mathematical analysis package.
Communication and research skills are developed through the writing of an essay on an appropriate physics-related topic.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
Interpret a map of the sky and be able to predict the visibility of astronomical objects at a given time and place on earth;
Understand how telescopes work and decide whether an astronomical object could be usefully observed by a particular telescope and instrument;
Apply basic principles of thermodynamics to calculate the temperature and size of stars, and thus understand the evolution of dwarf and giant stars;
Describe how measuring distances and redshifts of galaxies leads to the concept of an expanding Universe, to the notion of dark matter, and the age of the Universe.
Demonstrate skills in the use of a commercial mathematical analysis package.
Demonstrate skills in written communication, presentation, research and referencing.