Composition and distribution of the ISM.
Collisional and radiative processes. Thermodynamic equilibrium. Ionisation and recombination processes. Radiative transfer.
Interstellar dust: composition, extinction, emission, interaction with radiation.
Molecular clouds: structure and dynamics.
Fragmentation of molecular clouds, gravitational collapse and circumstellar discs.
Jets and outflows.
Interstellar masers.
Massive stars: formation, evolution and interaction with the environment
L. Spitzer: Physical Process in the Interstellar Medium
B. Draine: Physics of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Medium
J. Dyson & D. Williams: Physics of the Interstellar Medium
Stahler & Palla: The Formation of Stars
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Knowledge of the absorption and emission processes of the solid and gaseous matter in the ISM.
Knowledge of the distinguishing properties of the different phases (neutral and ionised) of the ISM.
Basic principles of the dynamics of the interstellar gas (ionisation fronts, shocks, collapse).
Competence acquired :
Physical processes in HI and H2 clouds; atomic and molecular transitions; molecular structure; heating and cooling; magnetic fields.
Interaction radiation-matter in conditions of low temperature and density.
Skills Acquired:
Ability to treat the global properties of the ISM through the initial mass function, the star formation history, both Galactic and extragalactic.
Ability to treat a simplified modelisation of the molecular astrochemistry and of the gravitational collapse.
Prerequisites
Astrophysics.
Physical states of matter.
Teaching Methods
6 CFU
Lectures hours: 48
Further information
Office hours
On demand
daniele.galli@inaf.it
francesco.fontani@inaf.it
Type of Assessment
Oral exam in two parts: in the first part (20 min) the student will present his/her in-depth analysis of a topic chosen from a list with references proposed by the lecturers; in the second part (30 min) the student will answer questions on the topic covered in the first part and on related topics covered in the course. The evaluation is based on in-depth skills and basic preparation.
Course program
Composition and distribution of the ISM (atomic, molecular and ionised gas; dust grains).
Collisional and radiative processes. Thermodynamic equilibrium. Ionisation and recombination processes. Radiative transfer.
Interstellar dust: composition, extinction, emission, interaction with radiation.
Molecular clouds: structure and dynamics.
Fragmentation of molecular clouds, gravitational collapse and circumstellar discs.
Jets and outflows.
Interstellar masers.
Massive stars: formation, evolution and interaction with the environment