PHYS4201 Theoretical Astronomy (2010/11)

Details of the module's prerequisites, learning outcomes, assessment and contact hours are given in the official module description in the Faculty Handbook - follow the link above.  A detailed description of the module's content, together with book lists, is given below.  For an explanation of the library's categorisation system see http://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/students/library/.

Content

Galaxy Formation

Prof C.S. Frenk

14 lectures in Michaelmas Term

Syllabus: The growth of density perturbations in the Universe, non-baryonic dark matter, power spectrum, cosmic microwave background, galaxy clustering. Non-linear evolution, top-hat model.

Textbooks:

Cosmology, P. Coles and F. Lucchin (Wiley), R
Principles of Physical Cosmology, P.J.E. Peebles (Princeton), B
An Introduction to Modern Cosmology, A.R. Liddle (Wiley), B
The Early Universe, E.W. Kolb and M.S. Turner (Addison-Wesley), B
Cosmological Physics, J.A. Peacock (CUP), B

Astrophysical Fluids

Prof C.M.Baugh

8 lectures in Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms

Syllabus: Lagrangian particle paths. Euler equation of motion. Bernoulli equation. Kelvin's circulation theorem. Compressible fluids, sound waves. Sub and supersonic motion, Mach number, 1-D shock waves. Star formation. Physics of accretion flows. Bondi accretion.

Textbooks:

A First Course in Fluid Dynamics, A.R. Paterson (CUP), B
Principles of Astrophysics Fluid Dynamics, C. J. Clarke, R. F. Carswell (CUP), B
An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, G.K. Batchelor (CUP), B
Elementary Fluid Dynamics, D.J. Acheson (OUP), B
Fluid Dynamics for Physicists, T.E. Faber (CUP), B

General Relativity and Black Holes

Prof C. Done

14 lectures in Epiphany Term

Syllabus: Inertial frames and the Principle of equivalence. Tensors and tensor algebra. Tensor derivatives and Christoffel symbols for curved spacetime. Geodesic paths and the Euler-Lagrange equations. Riemann curvature tensor. Energy-momentum tensor and its conservation laws. Ricci tensor and the Einstein equations. Schwarzschild metric. Weak field limits for particle and photon paths. Precession of the perihelion of Mercury and lightbending around the Sun. Gravitational redshift. Black holes and event horizons.

Textbooks:

A Short Course in General Relativity, J. Forster and J.D. Nightingale (Springer), R
Black Holes an Introduction, D. J. Raine and E Thomas (Imperial College Press), B

Revision

3 lectures in Easter Term, one by each lecturer.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 2 one-hour lectures per week

Problem exercises: See http://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/students/problems/