PX1124: The Universe from Particles to Galaxies
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX1124 |
| External Subject Code | 100415 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L4 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Peter Hargrave |
| Semester | Autumn Semester |
| Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
To give an overview of the observed structure of stars, galaxies and the Universe.
To give a simple descriptive account of the basic properties of matter, including nuclear and elementary particles.
To introduce students to the application of physical and mathematical laws in formulating theories for the origin and evolution of astronomical structures.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Describe key developments in the history of astronomy
Explain the principles and design of astronomical telescopes.
Identify and describe the physical properties of stars (distances, masses, magnitudes, temperatures).
Describe the elementary structure of stars and stellar evolution and demonstrate basic knowledge of binary stars, supernovae and pulsars.
Explain the basic structure of galaxies and the basic ideas of elementary cosmology.
Relate key properties of stars and galaxies to the fundamental properties of matter.
Demonstrate understanding of the physical make up of the Universe by answering both essay-style questions and solving unseen numerical problems under examination conditions.
How the module will be delivered
Teaching and feedback methods: Lectures 22 x 1 hr, marked Exercises.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Problem solving. Investigative skills. Mathematics. Analytical skills.
How the module will be assessed
Assessment: Examination 80%. Coursework 20%. [Examination duration: 2 hours]
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Autumn Semester | 80 | The Universe From Particles To Galaxies | 2 |
| Written Assessment | 20 | The Universe From Particles To Galaxies | N/A |
Syllabus content
Introduction to Astronomy: Historical background. Ancient astronomy. Scientific astronomy: Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Kepler, Galileo and Newton, including brief discussion of Kepler’s laws (circular orbits only).
Light and telescopes: The EM spectrum. Black body radiation. Background radiation. Principles of telescope design and instrumentation.
The Sun and Stars: The magnitude system. Parallax. Inverse square law for flux and the distance modulus. The luminosity function of stars. The HR diagram.
Nuclear burning: Nuclear matter (brief history). Energy production in stars. Main-sequence life.
Stellar evolution: The birth of stars and the inter-stellar medium. The life and death of stars. Supernovae,
Neutron Stars (Pulsars) and Black holes.
Our galaxy: The Milky Way, rotation curves, the local group.
Distances in the Universe: Measuring astronomical distances. Hubble’s law. Cosmological distances.
Galaxies.
Cosmology: The creation and fate of the Universe. Simple models of the Universe. Missing mass.
Particle physics and Dark Matter. The twin frontiers of physics.
Essential Reading and Resource List
Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics, Zeilik and Gregory (Saunders College Publishing).
Universe, W Kaufmann (Freeman).