The goal of the course is to examine in depth the structure of stars, the physical processes of energy production, transport and radiation in stars, and to discuss the main classical effects of gravitation and the main accretion processes.
E. Landi degli Innocenti "Fisica Solare"
Carroll & Ostlie "Introduction to Modern Astrophysics"
Frank, King, Raine "Accretion Power in Astrophysics"
Learning Objectives
Understanding of the main physical processes determining the structure and evolution of stars, and of the main accretion processes.
Prerequisites
3-years Laurea in physics
Teaching Methods
Lectures
Type of Assessment
Oral exam
Course program
Fundamental equations of stellar structure
Polytropic Model
Equation of state in stars
Radiative transport, opacity
Convective transport, Schwarzschild criterion, mixing length theory
Energy production in stars, Gamow model
Production of heavy elements
Problem of solar neutrinos and solution
Stellar evolution: interpretation of evolutionary paths in the HR diagram
Chandrasekhar limit
Properties and dimensions of white dwarfs; cooling of white dwarfs
Properties of neutron stars
Pulsars: observational properties and distance measurements
Model of rotating dipole
Classical effects of gravitation: tides, precession
Reduced three-body problem, stability of Lagrangian points
Radial accretion, Bondi model
Shakura-Sunyaev accretion disks
Isothermal stellar winds