Stellar Structure and Evolution

Code:

AST4009

Acronym:

AST4009

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:A_ASTR	12	Study plan since academic year 2024/2025	1	-	6	42	162
			2
M:F	3	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	42	162
			2

Teaching language

English
Obs.: As aulas poderão ser dadas em português caso todos dominem esta língua

Objectives

The main objective is to learn the fundamental principles that establish the internal structure and evolution of stars. To do so it is required to study in detail what are stars, their most important features and how stars work. A detailed formulation of the problem is covered by defining the equations of stellar structure and the physical relations, together with a careful identification of the relevant boundary conditions that determine the solution that represents the observations. Thus the student learns how to apply the physical principles to interpret the different phases of a star’s life, using the observations to validate the model. Some topics of active research are addressed in order to consolidate the concepts and techniques being discussed, allowing the student to learn with applications to specific/real cases.

Learning outcomes and competences

In order to acquire a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of stellar physics and how stellar models can be validated with the observations, the program is defined including the physics and mathematical principles required by stellar structure and evolution models. The program includes the concepts required to construct the model and the discussion on how this model can predict the expected observational behavior of stars, supporting the confrontation between models and astronomical observations in regimes not available in the laboratory. Thus, the contents include not only the theoretical formulation of the relevant fundamental concepts but also the detailed discussion of the observational information that is avaliable and how it can be interpreted using the models from the theoretical analysis.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Observation of stars and clusters


2. Stellar structure equations


3. Physical relations relevant for the stellar interior


4. Description of the internal structure of a star and its evolution


5. Methods for study of the solar/stellar interior


6. Ongoing research topics and open questions

Mandatory literature

R. Kippenhahn; Stellar structure and evolution. ISBN: 3540502114
Marc Pinsonneault; Stellar structure and evolution. ISBN: 978-1-108-83581-7

Complementary Bibliography

Clayton Donald D.; Principles of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. ISBN: 0-226-10953-4 (pbk)
C. J. Hansen; Stellar interiors. ISBN: 0-387-94138-X

Comments from the literature

References (books and reserach articles) on specific sections of the program are provided in the lecture notes and/or during the lectures.

Teaching methods and learning activities

keywords

Physical sciences
Physical sciences > Astronomy
Physical sciences > Astronomy > Astrophysics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	25,00
Exame	70,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Estudo autónomo	90,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The student will not be able to complete the course if he/she does not participate in 75% of the lectures. There will be an attendance log in all classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final rating has the following components:

1. 14 points - the final written exam with consultation (minimum grade is required in this component of one third)
2. 5 points - oral presentation and discussion of a topic
3. 1 point - active participation in classes, to be evaluated by submitting questions, solutions for problems to be proposed, discussion of the individual work and its progress, discussion of research articles, etc.

The student may request an additional assessment as allowed by the Evaluation Regulation of FCUP.

The oral presentation will be a review of a current research topic: it aims to ask students to produce a detailed review of topic on Stellar Structure and Evolution. The choice of topic is made at the beginning of the semester, and students are expected to look for additional/complementary information, namely in scientific articles (for example in the Astrophysics Data System or in specific journals).

The presentation and its discussion will take place at the end of the semester. The evaluation is associated with:

• depth of the topic addressed; scope of the topics discussed; clarity in approach and proper description
• well-structured and clear presentation, with relevant and easy-to-read slides, including useful figures and correctly planned for the time available.
• capacity to have a in detailed discussion, which demonstrates having understood the topics presented, showing copacity to argue and clarify the content that was presented.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

In those cases when the status of the student dispenses from attending the lectures, the item of the evalution on participation (c) does not aply, with its value being added to component (b) of the presentation. This item (b), in this specfic situation, is worth 6 points.

Components (a) and (b) are required for all students subject to special conditions.

Classification improvement

The student may only improve the written exam component of the evaluation.

Observations

Evaluation jury: Mário João Monteiro, Jorge Filipe Gameiro, Orfeu Bertolami