Earth to cosmos - introductory astronomy
Ms Susan Feteris (Department of Physics)
6 points • An average of five contact hours per week typically comprising three 1-hour lectures and two practical workshop/tutorial hours • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: none, but secondary science to year 11 and mathematics to year 12 would be helpful
Objectives On completion of this subject, students will be able to: effectively communicate contemporary astronomical ideas to others and demonstrate teamwork skills; outline the development of ideas in astronomy and describe the theories and models used to explain the origin, evolution and structure of the solar system, the galaxy and the cosmos; outline techniques used to derive astronomical information, describe the basic characteristics of astronomical objects including planets, comets, stars, pulsars, quasars, black holes, galaxies; understand and use the physics concepts needed for a basic understanding of astronomy, including electromagnetic radiation and optics, gravity, motion and relativity.
Synopsis This subject provides students with an appreciation and understanding of the concepts, and exciting insights gained by astronomers into the nature of the solar system, the galaxy and the cosmos. Descriptive material will emphasise key concepts and allow students to gain understanding and the ability to communicate these concepts through a range of activities including workshops and projects. Key concepts include electromagnetic radiation, optics, gravity, motion and energy, and relativity. These are applied to models of the solar system, the galaxy and the cosmos, to the characteristics of astronomical objects including planets, comets, stars, novae, pulsars, black holes and quasars, and to earth-based instruments and space-probes.
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 60% • Practical workshops/tutorials 30% • Project: 10%
Recommended text
Kaufmann W J and Comins N F Discovering the Universe, 4th Edition, Freeman, 1996
Life and the Universe
Dr John Lattanzio (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
6 points • Three 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week • Second semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: none, but secondary science to year 11 and mathematics to year 12 would be helpful
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have an appreciation of how the development of life is criticallly dependent on the conditions in the physical Universe. In particular, students will have some understanding of: the necessary conditions for life; how species evolve; how life depends on energy input from stars; the dynamics of the solar system with regard to the thermal requirements for life; what is known about planets around other stars; the evolution of stars and which stars are suitable for the appearance of life; modern theories of star and planet formation; the types of stars in galaxies; possibilities of other life forms; the development of consciousness; how the Universe will evolve; what this means for the future of life in the Universe.
Synopsis The subject starts with an elementary knowledge of life forms and using modern theories of matter, planets, stars, galaxies, cosmology and biology discusses whether life could exist in other parts of the Universe. In particular, the following aspects will be discussed: the characteristics of life, how life first appeared on the Earth, whether these conditions can be expected to occur on other planets, the formation of stars and planets, the dynamics of planetary orbits and the habitable zones around stars, different kinds of stars and the light they emit as well as their lifetimes, whether consciousness arises from elementary interactions between atoms and molecules, whether computers can be said to be conscious, what is the final state of the Universe and the implications for any life present.
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 70% • Assignments: 20% • Project: 10%
Recommended text
Kaufmann W J and Comins N F Discovering the Universe, 4th Edition, Freeman, 1996
Introductory astronomy: exploring the solar system
To be advised (Department of Physics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lecture/problem classes and one 4-hour laboratory class per fortnight • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: PHS1011 and PHS1022, or PHS1031 and PHS1042
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should know the main concepts of positional astronomy and be able to solve problems involving the celestial sphere, apparent motion, coordinate systems, time and navigation; understand and be aware of the nomenclature, and be able to solve simple problems concerning the orbits of the planets and satellites, including tides; understand the various telescope systems used in positional astronomy, together with their detector systems; have an appreciation of the manner in which observational measurements are made; understand the general scale, geometry and mechanics of the solar system; know the general features of the planets of the solar system and their satellites; be able to give an account of various theories of solar system formation.
Synopsis This is an introduction to astrophysics, in which physical ideas gained in first year are developed and used to understand how data from the cosmos are obtained and interpreted. Laboratory work introduces experimental techniques and illustrates and extends the lecture material. Students may undertake their own astronomical observations. Topics covered are practical astronomy (eg coordinate systems, time, orbits); the solar system (including physical properties, origin theories); observational techniques (including telescopes, detectors, space-based systems).
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 67% • Laboratory work: 33%
Recommended texts
Zeilik M and others Introductory astronomy and astrophysics 3rd edn, Saunders, 1992
Introductory astronomy: the stars and beyond
To be advised (Department of Physics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lecture/problem classes and one 4-hour laboratory class per fortnight • Second semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: PHS1011 and PHS1022, or PHS1031 and PHS1042
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should be able to give an account of astronomical observations of the sun and their astrophysical explanation; understand the observational properties of the stars, their correlations on the HR diagram, and their physical interpretation; understand the main ideas behind stellar evolution; understand the general features of the Milky Way galaxy; know current ideas on galaxy evolution; be familiar with the Hubble classification of galaxies; know about galaxy dynamics and populations; know how galaxy distances are measured; know the significance of the Hubble constant and how it is measured; know the observational properties of active galaxies and the models used to account for them; be able to do simple black hole calculations.
Synopsis This is an introduction to astrophysics, in which physical ideas gained in first year and in ASP2031 are developed and used to understand how data from the cosmos are obtained and interpreted. Laboratory work introduces experimental techniques and illustrates and extends the lecture material. Students may undertake their own astronomical observations. Topics covered are the stars (the sun, HR diagram, variable stars, evolution of stars, stellar energy sources); the Milky Way (evidence for present picture of the structure of the Milky Way, the influence of dust on observations, star-forming regions, interstellar molecules); galaxies and cosmology, (including classification and evolution of galaxies, Hubble's law, 'missing mass' in galaxies, the nature of quasars and the possibility that black holes trigger their power output).
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 67% • Laboratory work: 33%
Recommended texts
Zeilik M and others Introductory astronomy and astrophysics 3rd edn, Saunders, 1992
Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week, 5-day field excursion • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072 • Recommendations: PHS2022, PHS2251 or ASP2031, PHS2262 or ASP2042 • Prohibitions: MAA3211, MAT3111
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be familiar with the basic physics of stars; understand the current evolutionary state of the sun within the context of how different stars evolve in response to changes in their internal structure; know how to take simple observations of stars with real telescopes; appreciate how observations of stars can then be used as a tool for learning about other astronomical objects, in particular, the structure of our own galaxy.
Synopsis Stellar properties; Jean’s instability, virial theorem, star formation; thermodynamics; structure equations; polytropic models, nuclear reactions; the Main Sequence; core hydrogen burning and consequences of exhaustion; shell energy sources; red-giants, white-dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. Field trip to Mt Stromlo Observatory.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 70% • Assignments: 20% • Field-trip report: 10%
Prescribed text
Carroll B W and Ostlie D A An introduction to modern astrophysics,
Addison Wesley, 1996
Recommended texts
Bowers R and Deeming T D Astrophysics vol. 1, Jones and Bartlett,1984
Clayton D Principles of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis U Chicago P, 1983
Kippenhahn R and Weigert A Stellar structure and evolution Springer-Verlag, 1990
Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072 • Recommendations: MAA2042 or MAT2102, PHS2022• Prohibitions: MAA3221, MAT3121
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be sufficiently familiar with astrophysical hydrodynamics to be able to undertake the other ASP third-year subjects; will understand the basic characteristics of steady compressible flow; will be able to perform linearisation to determine wave motions and test for instabilities; will have a rudimentary knowledge of shocks and their numerical modelling; will understand the role and modelling of stellar pulsation.
Synopsis The continuum description of compressible fluids; ionisation; steady flows, accretion onto stars, the solar wind; linear sound waves; linear stability, stellar oscillations; interstellar medium, shocks and supernova blast waves, numerical simulation.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 70% • Assignments: 30%
Recommended texts
Bowers R and Deeming T D Astrophysics vols 1 and 2, Jones and Bartlett, 1984
Carroll B W and Ostlie D A An introduction to modern astrophysics,
Addison Wesley, 1996
Shu F The physics of astrophysics vol. 2, Gas dynamics University Science Books, 1992
Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week, 5-day field excursion • Second semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072 • Recommendations: PHS2022, PHS2251 or ASP2031, PHS2262 or ASP2042 • Prohibitions: MAA3232, MAT3132
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have an understanding of the different kinds of galaxies, their content and structure; be familiar with the relevant mathematical, numerical, and observational techniques.
Synopsis Galactic morphology and stellar content; stellar dynamics, encounters and relaxation; elliptic and spiral galaxies; density-wave theory; galactic evolution. Field trip to Mt Stromlo Observatory.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 70% • Assignments: 20% • Field-trip report: 10%
Prescribed text
Carroll B W and Ostlie D A An introduction to modern
astrophysics,
Addison Wesley, 1996
Recommended texts
Binney J and Tremaine S Galactic dynamics Princeton University Press, 1987
Bowers R and Deeming T D Astrophysics vol. 2, Jones and Bartlett, 1984
Tayler R J Galaxies: Structure and evolution CUP, 1993
Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week • Second semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072 • Recommendations: PHS2022, PHS2251 or ASP2031, PHS2262 or ASP2042 • Prohibitions: MAA3242, MAT3142
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have learnt the basic concepts of modern physical cosmology, such as universal expansion, closure density, microwave background etc; be familiar with the successes and problems of the hot ‘big bang’ model, and the need for inflation; be aware of the problem of forming structures within the Universe, especially galaxies, voids and clusters of galaxies.
Synopsis Observations, simple Newtonian models, metrics, Einstein's equations, propagation of light, production of neutrons and protons, the background radiation, the formation of structure, inflation and the fate of the universe.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 70% • Assignments: 30% (or as announced at the beginning of the teaching year)
Prescribed text
Carroll B W and Ostlie D A An introduction to modern astrophysics,
Addison Wesley, 1996
Recommended texts
Peebles P J E Principles of physical cosmology Princeton University Press, 1993
Shu F The physical universe University Science Books, 1982
Weinberg S The first three minutes Bantam, 1977
Numerical solution of partial differential equations
Dr R C Griffiths (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour computer laboratory per week • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072 • Prohibitions: MAA3011, MAT3041
Objectives, synopsis and assessment As for MAT3041.
Special relativity
Dr R C Griffiths (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040 • Prohibitions: MAA3061, MAT3061
Objectives, synopsis and assessment As for MAT3061.
Techniques for scientific computing
Dr R C Griffiths (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week • Second semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072 • Prohibitions: MAA3132, MAT3052
Objectives, synopsis and assessment As for MAT3052.
Physics for astrophysics I
Associate Professor Peter Wells (Department of Physics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week • First semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072, and a minimum of 8 points of second-year physics, which must include the units 'Quantum physics', 'Thermodynamics' and 'Atomic and nuclear physics' • Recommendations: PHS2251 or ASP2031, PHS2262 or ASP2042
Objectives This subject is designed for students taking the full twenty-four point astrophysics sequence and who are not taking any other third-year physics subjects. On the completion of this subject students will have an understanding of various areas of physics sufficient for a future professional astrophysicist; in particular they will have a sufficient background in practical quantum mechanics necessary for understanding radiation processes in space plasmas and in interpreting stellar and other astronomical spectra; will understand statistical mechanics to a level required to model many processes in astrophysical plasmas and their interactions with radiation.
Synopsis This subject consists of the third-year physics units 'Applications of quantum mechanics' and 'Statistical mechanics'. The synopses for both are listed under the physics third-year entry in this handbook.
Assessment Examinations: 85% • Assignments: 15%
Recommended texts
Guenault A M Statistical physics Routledge, 1988
Mandl F Quantum mechanics Wiley, 1992
Physics for astrophysics II
Associate Professor Peter Wells (Department of Physics)
4 points • Two 1-hour lectures per week • Second semester • Clayton • Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072, and a minimum of 8 points of second-year physics, which must include the units 'Quantum physics', 'Thermodynamics' and 'Atomic and nuclear physics' • Recommendations: PHS2251 or ASP2031, PHS2262 or ASP2042
Objectives This subject is designed for students taking the full twenty-four point astrophysics sequence and who are not taking any other third-year physics subjects. Depending on the actual choice of units included in this subject, on its completion students will have a basic understanding of radiative processes in stars, and their effects on observable properties; understand sufficient nuclear or elementary particle physics to appreciate their roles in stellar structure and evolution and nucleosynthesis, or cosmic ray studies, exotic objects, and modern cosmology, respectively.
Synopsis This subject consists of a choice of any two of the third-year physics units 'Stellar atmospheres', 'Elementary particles', and 'Nuclear physics'. The synopses for these are listed under the physics third-year entry in this handbook.
Assessment Examinations: 85% • Assignments: 15%
Recommended texts
Bohm-Vitense E Introduction to stellar astrophysics vol 2, Stellar atmospheres CUP, 1989
Krane W S Introduction to nuclear physics Wiley, 1987
Astrophysics honours
Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
48 points • Full year subject • Clayton • Prerequisites: average of credit grade in 24 points of third-year astrophysics subjects, or equivalent
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have developed a broader and deeper understanding on modern astrophysics, together with extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. They will have learned many of the computational techniques used in modern astrophysics, and be able to implement some of these. They will have developed many of the skills necessary to conduct research in a chosen field of astrophysics, and will be able to locate information on astronomical objects from the wide range of literature, including extensive use of the astrophysics resources on the World Wide Web such as the NASA Astrophysics Data System. Further, students will be able to use a modern research telescope to collect astronomical data, and be able to use standard data reduction techniques to produce meaningful results from their observations.
Synopsis Students must complete five lecture units, an essay based on a literature survey, a major project, and a field trip to use a modern research telescope. Compulsory lecture units cover 'Stellar structure and pulsation' and 'Computational astrophysics'. Other units are offered which cover a wide variety of astrophysical phenomena. Students must also complete a literature survey and deliver a seminar and written report on a selected astrophysical topic. The subject includes a major project, where the students work on a research topic under the close supervision of a supervisor, and a field trip to Mt Stromlo Observatory which teaches students how to use a research telescope to gather astrophysical data.
Assessment Five lecture units: 50% • Major project: 40% (comprising 36% for written thesis and 4% for oral presentation) • Essay: 10%
Please note that the structure in the paragraph above is no longer correct. See ASP4000 Astrophysics Honours for an up-date.
1998 Handbook entry for Astronomy and Astrophysics: overview
Paul Cally ( cally@zeus.maths.monash.edu.au )