| Unit name | High Energy Astrophysics 301 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS34012 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Furqaan Yusaf |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
120 credit points of physics units at level I/5 in Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, joint honours programme in Mathematics and Physics or Physics and Philosophy. |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit provides an introduction in an analytic and quantitative way to the relationship between energetic particles and photons which reach the Earth and energetic phenomena in distant astronomical objects.
Aims:
To provide an introduction in an analytic and quantitative way to the relationship between energetic particles and photons which reach the Earth and energetic phenomena in distant astronomical objects.
Understand how the nature of cosmic rays has been inferred from direct and indirect observations. Acquire a familiarity with energy-loss processes of relativistic particles. Understand the processes of synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering and their significance in interpreting radiation from a wide variety of astronomical objects. Able to estimate important characteristics of astronomical objects in terms of simple models of the physical phenomena, using sensible approximations. Understand the main likely sources of high-energy emissions and the importance of gravity.
Lectures and problems classes
Written examination comprising 1 2-hour paper.
Longair, High energy Astrophysics Vols 1 and (mainly) 2 (CUP)
