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Astrophysics I
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:24:29
Abstract
The course will develop basic concepts in astrophysics, including stellar structure and evolution, the physics of diffuse material and radiation processes, and basic concepts of galactic astrophysics.
Objective
The course provides an overview of fundamental concepts and physical processes in astrophysics
Content
1. Basic Overview: Big Bang nucleosynthesis, gravitational contraction, free fall, hydrostatic equilibrium (non- and ultrarelativistic), conditions for gravitational collapse, jeans mass and density, condition for stardom, the sun as a main sequence star, stellar lifecycles, stellar nucleosynthesis, Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and spectral classification of stars 2. The physics of stars: Properties of matter and radiation (electrons in stars, photons in stars), the Saha equation, ionization in stars, reactions at high temperatures), heat transfer in stars (thermal convections of matter particles, radiative diffusion, convection, cooling of White Dwarfs), thermonuclear fusion in stars (physics of nuclear fusion, barrier penetration, fusion cross-sections, thermonuclear reaction rates, H-, He and Advanced-burning), stellar structure (simple stellar models, models of the Sun, minimum and maximum masses for stars), stellar evolution (endpoints: White DWarfs, collapse of a central core, neutron stars, black holes) 3. Diffuse matter and radiation processes: Types of diffuse matter, diffuse objects (molecular clouds, HII-regions, etc.), fields: radiation and magnetic field, departure from thermodynamical equilibrium (TE), full TE, Planck radiation field, Interstellar medium, Intergalactic medium, photoionization and collisional ionization, radiative transfer and radiation processes, radiative transfer equation, emission, absorption, types of atomic (molecular) processes (bound-bound, free-bound, and free-free transitions), emission lines, temperature determination, density determination, absorption lines, curve of growth, photoionization and recombination, free-free radiation (bremsstrahlung, optically thin and thick), non-thermal processes, electron scattering, Compton scattering, synchrotron radiation, thermal equilibrium of the interstellar gas: heating processes, cooling processes, cooling times, pressure equilibrium between different phases, explosive motions (SN), distribution of the gas in galaxies, adiabatic and isothermal shocks 4. Galaxies: Dark matter in galaxies, collisionless stellar systems, collisionless Boltzmann equation, Jeans equations, virial equations, phase mixing and violent relaxation, stability of collisionless systems, the Jeans instability for a stellar system, dynamical friction, the gravothermal catastrophe.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Scripts are distributed at the lectures and made available athttp://www.exp-astro.phys.ethz.ch/AstrophysicsI
Literature
For consultation only (consultative): 1. A.C. Phillips, The Physics of stars, Wiley 2. Rybicki & Lightman, Radiative processes in astrophysics, Wiley 3. Spitzer, Physical processes in the ISM, Wiley 4. Binney & Tremaine, Galactic dynamics, Princeton series in Astrophysics
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Astrophysics I |
|
4 h weekly |
| exercise | Astrophysics I |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (Further combinations of Compulsory elective subjects arising upon specific written request by the students and permission by the Director of studies.)
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Electives (Further combinations of Compulsory elective subjects arising upon specific written request by the students and permission by the Director of studies.)
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