University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 7

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: 11.00 am lectures, one afternoon chosen from Mon, Wed and Fri with tutorial 2.00 pm - 3.00 and lab 3.00 pm - 5.30 pm

This module surveys our present state of knowledge of the orbits, surfaces and atmospheres of the planets in our solar system; the structure and evolution of the Sun and other stars, including extra-solar planetary systems; the bizarre menagerie of star-forming regions, violent stellar objects and supermassive black holes found within our own Milky Way Galaxy and in other galaxies; and the large-scale structure and ultimate fate of the expanding Universe. Throughout the module, fundamental observations are interpreted using mathematical models to show how distances and other properties of astronomical objects throughout the Universe have been measured, from the time of Copernicus to the era of the Hubble Telescope and beyond.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): The student must have Higher or A-Level (or equivalent) physics and mathematics at grade B or better

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take AS1002 or take AS1101

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 4 or 5 lectures, 1 tutorial and 1 x 2.5-hour laboratory.

Scheduled learning hours: 80

Guided independent study hours: 120

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 60%, Class Tests = 15%, Laboratory work = 25%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 60%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 40%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 75%, Existing Laboratory work = 25%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr A Scholz
Module teaching staff: Dr A Scholz, Prof M Jardine, Dr R Tojeiro, Dr C Cyganowski
Module coordinator email as110@st-andrews.ac.uk

Additional information from school

The aim of this module is to provide an elementary understanding of the structure of the observable universe and our position within it.  The physical content of the universe, its structures and their mutual interactions, are explored.  It is shown how the properties of planets, stars, galaxies, etc may be determined from observations coupled with theoretical models based on physical principles.  The module comprises four 11-lecture courses on The Solar System, Stars and Elementary Astrophysics, The Galaxy, and Cosmology, thereby providing a complete overview of the subject at this level.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students will have gained:

• an understanding of the structure and evolution of the physical universe from the solar system, through the galaxy, to the large-scale distribution of galaxies and the origin of the universe
• an ability to calculate astrophysical properties of planets, stars and galaxies from basic physical and mathematical models and simplified data.

Synopsis

(1) The Solar System

Brief historical introduction including basic observations and the calendar, leading to Kepler's laws of planetary motion and Newton's law of gravitation.  Modern exploration of the Solar System and the study of the physical properties of the planets and their satellites - interior structure, atmosphere and climate, magnetospheres and interactions with the solar wind; physical properties of comets, meteors.  The atmosphere of the Sun - photosphere, chromosphere, corona and the solar wind.  Origin of the Solar System.

(2) Stars and Elementary Astrophysics

Astronomical observations. Telescopes: optical, radio, space. Stellar brightness, apparent and absolute magnitudes, distances,  inverse  square  law.  Colours  of the stars, black body radiation laws and temperature.  Spectra from astronomical sources;  Kirchhoff's laws for continuous, emission and absorption spectra.  Spectral classification;  excitation and ionisation;  determination of stellar compositions.  Distribution of stellar parameters;  the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.  Stellar motions: Doppler effect, radial velocity, redshifts; proper motion.  Binary stars for masses, radii, luminosities.

(3) The Galaxy

The main-sequence mass-luminosity relationship.  Star clusters, their colour-magnitude diagrams, and distances via main-sequence fitting.  Effects of interstellar extinction.  Spatial distribution of star clusters, differences in chemical composition.  Outline of stellar evolution from formation through to end states of white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.  Variable stars as distance indicators.  Mass loss from stars, supernovae, pulsars, binary stars with compact components.  The interstellar medium - cold molecular clouds, HII regions, 'coronal' component; dust. Structure of the Galaxy - population groups, spiral structure, rotation curve.

(4) Cosmology

A preview of the universe.  The extragalactic nebulae (galaxies).  The determination of extragalactic distances.  Types of galaxies.  The Hubble classification.  Properties of galaxies - sizes, masses, spectra and luminosities.  The distribution of galaxies in space - clusters and superclusters.  The red-shift - distance relation.  Hubble's law.  The expansion of the universe.  The age of the universe.  The Big Bang origin of the universe.  A critical density for expansion and contraction.  The evolution of the universe.

Additional information on continuous assessment etc

Recommended Books

Please view University online record:

http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/as1001.html

General Information

Please also read the general information in the School's 1st and 2nd level handbook that is available via st-andrews.ac.uk/physics/staff_students/timetables.php