Fundamentals of Astronomy

Code:

AST112

Acronym:

AST112

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S

Active?	Yes
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	2	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	1	Plano de estudos de 2008 até 2013/14	3	-	7,5	-	-
L:F	4	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

The course on Fundamentals of Astronomy introduces essential concepts for modern astronomy. The approach is made to a basic level, greater emphasis being placed on discussion of concepts and nomenclature 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. Introduction

2. Spherical astronomy

Revision of some results in spherical trigonometry. The celestial sphere. Coordinate systems in astronomy: horizontal, equatorial, ecliptic, galactic. Precession, nutation, paralaxe, aberration, refraction. Sidereal time and mean solar time. Time measuring systems.

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. Extinction and optical depth.

5. Radiative mechanisms

Radiation of atoms and molecules. The hydrogen atom. Spectral line profiles. Continuous spectra. The black body radiation. Other radiative mechanisms. Radiative transfer.

6. Celestial Mechanics

Equations of motion for a system with two bodies. Orbital elements. Deduction of Kepler's laws. Systms with several bodies. Orbit determination. Escape velocity. The virial theorem.

7. The Solar System and other planetary systems

General characteristics and constituents of the Solar System. The Earth-Moon system: tidal forces; eclipses. Internal structure and surfaces of the planets and some satellites. Atmospheres and magnetospheres. The Asteroid and Kuiper belts. Comets. Formation and evolution of the Solar System. Search and characterization of other planetary systems.

8. Stellar spectra

Measuring and characterizing spectra. The Yerkes and Harvard classifications. The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

9. Binary stars

Types of binaries. Stellar properties inferred from the analysis of binary stars. Mass-luminosity relation.

10. Stellar Structure

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

11. Stellar evolution

Evolution scales. Contraction toward the Main Sequence. The Main Sequence phase. Evolution after the Main Sequence. Variable stars.

12. The Sun

Internal structure. The atmosphere of the Sun. Solar Activity.

13. Compact stars

White dwarfs. Neutron stars. Black holes.

14. The interstellar medium

Gas and dust in the  interstellar medium.

15. Star clusters and associations

Associations. Open and closed clusters.

16. The Milky Way

Methods for determining distances. Dynamics and mass distribution. Structural components of the Milky Way. Formation and evolution of the Milky Way.

17. Extragalactic astronomy

The Local Group. Morphological classification of galaxies and associated properties. Dynamics and distribution of mass in galaxies. Methods of measuring distances and the expansion of the Universe. The large-scale distribution of galaxies. Active galaxies. Formation and evolution of galaxies.

18. Cosmology

Relevant observations for Cosmology. The cosmological principle. Homogeneous and isotropic universes. The Friedmann equations. Cosmological tests. Structure formation in the Universe. A brief history of the Universe.

Mandatory literature

H. Karttunen et al; Fundamental Astronomy, Springer

Complementary Bibliography

B.W. Carrol, D.A. Ostlie; Modern Astrophysics, Addison-Wesley

Teaching methods and learning activities

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

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	70,00
Total:	70,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment for the course on Fundamentals of Astronomy is done through two tests or a final exam. If the student opts for performing the tests, the final classification which will be launched in the normal exam epoch will be equal to the simple average of the classifications obtained in each test (both marked from 0 to 20 values). It is mandatory to obtain a minimum of 7 values ​​in each test. If the student does not obtain approval in this way, he/she can try to obtain approval on the normal and resit exam epochs.

Classification improvement

The final classification can only be improved through the resit exam.