Page 39 - CatalogNEP-PS

6. edition, 1991.
7. Microprocessor Architecture, programming and Applications with 8085/8086 by
8. Ramesh S. Gaonkar, Wiley – Eastern Let. 1987 ( for unit v)
9. Microwaves by K.L. Gupta, Wiley Eastern Ltd. New Delhi, 1983.

Phys.323 Astronomy and Astrophysics 3+1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The primary aim of this course is to:
 provide a pedagogical introduction to astronomy and astrophysics both on the galactic and
extragalactic scale at the graduation level along with the brief introduction to astronomical
techniques.
 provide hands-on experience of the astronomy lab.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

After completing the course satisfactorily, a student will be able:
 To understand the technique in observational astronomy
 To understand the distance ladder in the context of the size of the Universe
 Sun and stellar synthesis. Interstellar medium
 Galaxies and their morphology
 Smooth and clumpy universe. The basic mathematical machinery of the background
Universe.
 To understand the technique used to analyze the astronomy data
 To analyze the data from the astronomy archive
 To get familiar with the night sky
 To learn to use the astronomical software in the various electromagnetic bands.

THEORY (45 Hours)

UNIT 1 (15 Hours)
Astronomical Scales: Astronomical Distance, Mass and Time, Scales, Brightness, Radiant Flux
and Luminosity, Measurement of Astronomical Quantities Astronomical Distances, Stellar Radii,
Masses of Stars, Stellar Temperature. Basic concepts of positional astronomy: Celestial Sphere,
Geometry of a Sphere, Spherical Triangle, Astronomical Coordinate Systems, Geographical
Coordinate Systems, Horizon System, Equatorial System, Diurnal Motion of the Stars,
Conversion of Coordinates. Measurement of Time, Sidereal Time, Apparent Solar Time, Mean
Solar Time, Equation of Time, Calendar. Basic Parameters of Stars: Determination of Distance by
Parallax Method; Brightness, Radiant Flux and Luminosity, Apparent and Absolute magnitude
scale, Distance Modulus; Determination of Temperature and Radius of a star; Determination of
Masses from Binary orbits; Stellar Spectral Classification, Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram.
Astronomical techniques: Basic Optical Definitions for Astronomy (Magnification Light
Gathering Power, Resolving Power and Diffraction Limit, Atmospheric Windows), Optical
Telescopes (Types of Reflecting Telescopes, Telescope Mountings, Space Telescopes, Detectors
and Their Use with Telescopes (Types of Detectors, detection Limits with Telescopes).
Physical principles: Gravitation in Astrophysics (Virial Theorem, Newton versus Einstein),
Systems in Thermodynamic Equilibrium.
UNIT 2 (15 Hours)

The sun (Solar Parameters, Solar Photosphere, Solar Atmosphere, Chromosphere. Corona, Solar
Activity, Basics of Solar Magneto-hydrodynamics. Helioseismology).

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