Galaxies: Morphology and structure. Electromagnetic emission, stellar populations and ISM. Scaling relations. Kinematic, dynamical, and chemical quantities and their evolution. Environmental effects. Cosmological evolution.Active Galactic Nuclei: observational and physical properties, SMBH mass measurements, scaling relations, resolution of the X-ray background.Cosmic large-scale structure formation: virial theorem, mass function.Galaxy clusters: X-ray astronomy, cosmological tests, ICM physics.
Chapters from the following textbooks:Coles and Lucchin, “Cosmology” Shu, “The Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy”, Univ Science BooksBinney and Tremaine, “Galactic dynamics”, Princeton University PressDopita and Sutherland, “Astrophysics of the diffuse universe”, Ed. SpringerArticles and Review Articles provided during the lectures
Learning Objectives
Acquired Knowledge:Fundamentals of extragalactic astrophysics and of the formation of cosmological structure.Knowledge of the physical mechanisms underlying the main measurements of the physical properties of galaxies, active galactic nuclei and large-scale structure.Phenomenology of galaxies, active galactic nuclei and their interaction with the surrounding environment.Historical perspective of the research field and future perspective on the most debated topics in the scientific community.Acquired Competences:Relevance of multi-wavelength observations for characterizing galaxies, their formation and evolution, and for measuring the fundamental cosmological parameters.Use of scaling relations to derive information about the physics of galaxies and cosmology.Comprehension and critical understanding of the specialized literature.
Prerequisites
Basic courses in physics and astrophysics.
Teaching Methods
Lectures
Further information
Contact: Office hours by appointment
Type of Assessment
Oral Exam on the topics of the lectures and on a research article chosen among a list provided at the end of the year
Course program
Galaxies (Mannucci):Introduction and visual morphology of galaxiesFundamental photometric parameters and quantitative galaxy morphologyGalaxy surveys and selection effectsElectromagnetic spectrum of galaxies: the starlight componentElectromagnetic spectrum of galaxies: measurements of star-formation rate and of the properties of the ionized interstellar mediumSimple chemical evolution models of galaxies. – Scaling relations and implications for galaxy evolutionFundamentals of kinematic measurements. Dynamics of disk and early-type” galaxiesEffect of the environmentActive galactic nuclei: observational and physical properties, measurements of the mass of supermassive black holes, scaling relations between black holes and host galaxies.Co-evolution scenarios between galaxies and supermassive black holesLarge-scale structure (Tozzi):1) The Big Bang and the Creation of the Material WorldObservational foundation of the Big Bang. Olbers' paradox. The arrow of time. The meaning of approximation in physics.2) Cosmic Structure formationLinear evolution of the density perturbation field, from the continuity, Euler and Poisson equation for a single fluid in an expanding universe. Why CMB observations imply dark matter. Definition of halo and virial theorem.3) Cosmic structure formation Part BThe link between linear evolution and formation of high-density structures: virial theorem and top-hat spherical collapse.4) CDM density power spectrum, Hierarchical clustering and Press&Schechter mass functionCold Dark Matter spectrum; hierarchical clustering; mass function of virialized halos: Press & Schechter theory; comparison with adiabatic N-body simulations. (11/10/2017)5) From DM halos to galaxy formationMass function of halo progenitors; merger trees. Baryons and DM; cooling crisis and possible solutions; feedback from star formation and nuclear activity.6) Open Problems in Galaxy Formation ModelsSemianalytical models of galaxy formation: critical aspects. Initial mass function, stellar vs AGN feedback, dynamical friction. Transition from single galaxies to systems of galaxies (groups and clusters).7) A brief history of X-ray astronomyA brief history of X-ray astronomy, and its relevance for extragalactic astrophysics; imaging and spectroscopy; the discovery of X-ray emission from clusters of galaxies. The X-ray sky. Structure of X-ray data, imaging, spectroscopy, and time domain.8) Clusters of GalaxiesClusters of galaxies: definition and observational properties. Physics of the IntraCluster Medium; scaling relations and self-similarity; breaking of the self similarity; hydrostatic equilibrium; dynamical mass from X-ray; dark matter and density profiles.9) Cosmological tests with clusters of GalaxiesCluster surveys: optical, IR, X-ray, SZ effect. Selection function. Reconstruction of cluster mass function from observables. Cosmological tests with clusters based on mass function and baryonic content.10) Physics of the Intra cluster mediumIntra Cluster Medium and interaction with the central galaxy; the isobaric cooling flow model; cooling flows and cool cores; the cooling flow problem; feedback in the ICM; cosmic evolution of cool cores.11) Observational aspects of Active Galactic NucleiPhenomenology of AGN: discovery and spectral classification in the optical band; radiogalaxies, superluminal motions; unification model; central engine and energy production in AGN.12) AGN population in the X-ray bandX-ray emission mechanisms from AGN; intrinsic absorption; relativistic emission lines; more on the unification model.13) The resolution of the X-ray backgroundThe resolution of the X-ray background (XRB); XRB spectral paradox; cosmic accretion history; Soltan argument; deep X-ray surveys.14) The future of X-ray Cluster astronomy (extra)Some aspects of current research are described; chemical evolution; dynamical status of clusters and substructures; evidences of dark matter.