Fundamentals of Astronomy

Code:

AST112

Acronym:

AST112

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2012/2013 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=269
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Astronomy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AST	19	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	1	-	7,5	-
L:B	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-
L:CC	0	Plano de estudos de 2008 até 2013/14	3	-	7,5	-
L:F	11	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	2	-	7,5	-
L:G	0	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	3	-	7,5	-
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	3	-	7,5	-
L:M	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2009	3	-	7,5	-
L:Q	0	Plano de estudos Oficial	3	-	7,5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Course that introduces concepts and fundamentals that are essential to modern astronomy. The approach is at a basic level that where greater emphasis is given to introduce concepts which are used only in astronomy.

Learning outcomes and competences

Understanding of basic concepts in modern astronomy and ability to relate them. Skills in the description of physical phenomena which affect planetary systems, the life of stars, the evolution of galaxies and of the universe itself.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Astronomy today

2. Spherical astronomy

The celestial sphere. Coordinate systems in astronomy: horizontal, equatorial, ecliptic, galactic. Time measuring systems. Sidereal time and mean solar time.

3. Instrumentation in astronomy

Optical telescopes: refractors and reflectors. Mountings. Detectors and astronomical instrumentation. Radio telescopes. Instrumentation in other spectral bands.

4. Photometry and magnitudes

Radiation intensity, flux and luminosity. Apparent magnitude of magnitudesystems. Absolute magnitudes. Bolometric magnitudes. Extinction and optical depth.

5. Mechanisms of radiation

Radiation of atoms and molecules. The hydrogen atom. Continuous spectra. The black body radiation.

6. Celestial Mechanics

Equations of motion, the two body problem. Equation of the orbit and Kepler's 1st law. Orbital elements. the 2nd and 3rd Kepler's laws. Position in orbit. Escape velocity. Orbital speed.

7. The solar system and other planetary systems

Description of the solar system: properties of the planets and some satellites. Atmospheres. Asteroids. Comets. Other planetary systems. Methods of searching for exoplanets.

8. Stellar spectra Stellar spectra.

The classification of the Yerkes and Harvard. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

9. Stellar Structure

Conditions for internal equilibirum. The physical state of plasma. Sources of energy inside stars. Models of stars.

10. Stellar evolution

Evolution scales. Contraction toward the main sequence. The main sequence phase. Evolution after the main sequence.

11. The Sun Internal structure.

The atmosphere of the Sun Solar Activity.

12. Compact stars

White dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.

13. Star clusters and associations Associations

Open and closed clusters.

14. The Milky Way

Methods for determining distances. The rotation of the Galaxy. Structure and evolution of the Galaxy.

15. Galaxies

Classification of galaxies. Galactic structures. Dynamics of galaxies. Ages of stars and element abundances in galaxies. Active galaxies and quasars. Origin and evolution of galaxies.

16. Cosmology

Cosmological observations. The cosmological principle. Homogeneous and isotropic universes. Friedmann models. Cosmological tests. Radio Universe history. Future of the Universe.

Mandatory literature

000106211. ISBN: 9783540341437

Complementary Bibliography

000072281. ISBN: 0-7503-0917-2
000040643. ISBN: 3-540-67877-8

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository methods in theoretical lectures (T). In theoretical-practical classes (TP) resolution of exercises by the students.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Test 1	Teste	2,00	50,00	2013-04-11
Test 2	Teste	2,00	50,00	2013-06-03
	Total:	-	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Classes T	Frequência das aulas	42	2013-06-05
Classes TP	Frequência das aulas	28	2013-06-05
Individual work	Estudo autónomo	132,5	2013-06-05
	Total:	202,50

Eligibility for exams

The student has frequency to the course if he/she misses no more than 1/4 of the planned theoretical-practical classes (TP's).

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuous evaluation with 2 assessment tests:

T1 <= 10, T2 <= 10

Final Mark = T1+T2, which is the note of the normal exam epoch (1st sit).

 

Evaluation by final exam:

If the student chooses not to undergo continuous evaluation he/she must inform the lecturer (by email) until the normal exam date and, in this case, Final Mark = Exam Mark (without consultation, marked up to 20).

Classification improvement

It is possible to improve grades only through the resit exam (without consultation, marked up to 20).