Stellar Astrophysics
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- Nil Hours
Prerequisites
AST80004 Exploring Stars and the Milky WayAims and objectives
This unit aims to cover the physical processes underlying stellar properties and the principles behind models of stellar evolution.
Unit Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Explain the classification schemes of stars, their physical parameters and the importance of the HR diagram
2. Explain and summarise the mechanism of star formation and the evolution of stars from the main sequence through to the RGB and AGB phase
3. Appraise and state the processes and properties of high mass stellar remnants, including supernovae, planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes;
4. Solve mathematical problems related to the physical processes that underlie stellar properties and evolution;
5. Explain and summarise stellar astrophysical concepts in a non-technical manner understandable to the general public
6. Design and create a research project on an astronomy topic, assessing and critiquing current knowledge, using credible sources of astronomical information, data and research articles
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
* Scheduled face to face: N/A
* Scheduled synchronous online Learning events: N/A
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities including independent study: 150 hours approx.
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Computer Managed Tests | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3,5 |
| Newsgroups | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Project | Individual | 50% | 6 |
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student:
(i) Must achieve an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) Must make at least three (3) relevant postings to the Instructor-led activities or questions every two-week newsgroup period based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the Unit Outline.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) in full, will receive a maximum of 14 marks out of 30 total (unless they have discussed their absence from the newsgroups with their instructor beforehand) as the total mark for the newsgroup assessment item.
(iii) Must submit the Project Aims document.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (iii) will receive a penalty of 10 pts from their final Project grade.
General skills outcomes
During this unit, students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
Content
• Stellar energy: gravitational contraction versus fusion, stellar nucleosynthesis
• Hydrostatic equilibrium and radiation pressure; equations of stellar structure; stellar atmospheres
• Protostars: cloud collapse, initial mass function, evolutionary tracks and ZAMS
• Main sequence stars: lifetime on the MS
• Evolution off the main sequence: low mass versus high mass stars
• Supernovae: explosive nucleosynthesis, supernovae remnants
• Neutron stars
• Stellar mass black holes
• Pulsating stars: the instability strip, helioseismology
• Binary stars
• Stellar clusters: types of clusters, open clusters and stellar evolution models, globular clusters; colour-magnitude diagrams
Study resources
- References.
References
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/sao/students/textbooks.xml