6 ECTS Credits — Semester 2 — Minor
Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole. Astroparticle physics is a field that combines astrophysics and particle physics to study high-energy particles in space, such as cosmic rays and neutrinos. The interplay between astrophysics and astroparticles involves using astrophysical observations to understand fundamental particle physics processes in various, often extreme environments in the universe.
Syllabus
Astroparticles:
- Introduction to astrophysical accelerators
- Radiation processes – leptonic
- Radiation processes – hadronic
- Propagation of radiations and particles in the Universe
- Acceleration processes
Astrophysics:
- Our Galaxy and its interstellar medium
- Photoionisation balance in the ISM
- Magnetic fields and MHD in astrophysics
- Gravitational collapse and structure formation
Suggested bibliography
- Lequeux, J. The interstellar medium. Springer.
- Draine, B. T. Physics of the interstellar and intergalactic medium. PUP.
- Perkins, D. H. Particle Astrophysics. OUP.
- Longair, M. S. High Energy Astrophysics (Vols. 1-3). CUP.