Description

In this module students will gain a basic knowledge of the universe and its contents, and good understanding of astrophysical measurement. As such it is crucial for the astrophysics project work, and when combined with the detailed understanding of stars, galaxies and cosmology obtained from the subsequent modules, PHY3070, PHY3066 and PHYM006, will provide a well-balanced grounding in astrophysics.

Module Aims

The specific aims of the module are to impart: a basic knowledge of the hierarchy of objects in the universe, including their structural and evolutionary relationship to each other; an understanding the underlying principles of key instrumentation used for observational astrophysics; an understanding of how we can obtain structural information and physical parameters from distant, often unresolved, objects.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. describe the scale of various structure in the universe and explain how astrophysicists arrive at these measurements;
  2. calculate the distances to various objects given suitable data;
  3. quantitatively describe the basic functioning of the optical/UV/IR telescope and spectrograph, radio interferometer and other astronomical instruments;
  4. calculate the signal-to-noise expected in various astronomical observing scenarios;
  5. use observational data to calculate masses and radii of stars and exo-planets;
  6. quantitatively describe the concepts of expanding space-time and cosmological redshift;
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  7. solve mathematical problems;
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  8. develop self-study skills;
  9. work to deadlines.

Syllabus Plan

1. Broad Overview and Background
   1. The contents of the Universe.
   2. Celestial co-ordinate systems.
   3. Ages in the Universe (our Sun, clusters, galaxies).
   4. Broad outline of Stellar evolution.
2. Measuring the following properties.
   1. Parallax and distance to the Sun.
   2. Luminosity of stars — main-sequence distances.
   3. The temperatures of stars.
   4. The masses of stars and planets (Kepler's Laws the importance of binaries).
   5. The radii of stars and planets
3. Telescopes, Instruments and Interferometers.
   1. Statistics of photon counting instruments. Energy integrating instruments.
   2. Ideal and non-deal telescopes (angular resolution, platescales and aberrations).
   3. Classical imaging systems.
   4. Spectrographs, polarimeters and heterodyne techniques.
   5. Charge coupled devices.
   6. Interferometry & sparse apertures.
   7. Radio Astronomy, X-ray, gamma-ray astronomy.
   8. Turbulence, adaptive optics, coronographs and higher resolution.
4. Additional topics
   1. Spectroscopy of exoplanet atmospheres.
   2. Diffuse gas.
   3. Modern instruments: SKA, JWST, SPHERE.
   4. Cosmology, the expanding universe and its evolution.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

• Not applicable

Supplementary texts:

• Lawrence A. (2014), Astronomical Measurement:A Concise Guide, Springer Praxis, ISBN 978-3-642-39834-6
• Smith R.C. (1995), Observational Astrophysics, CUP, ISBN 0-521-27834-1

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy2030

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Notes: See Physics Assessment Conventions.

KIS Data Summary

Miscellaneous