For the section by Prof. Amato: Italian (English if foreign students are present). For the section by Prof. Bucciantini: English.
Course Content
Part 1 - astroparticle physics: phenomenology of cosmic rays (CRs): CRs and Supernova Remnants. CRs and magnetic field: wave-particle interactions, diffusive propagation. Galactic transport. Particle acceleration. Part 2 - compact objects: basics of general relativity; relativistic magneto-hydrodynamics; winds, shocks and accretion; explosions; relativistic stars; structure and electrodynamics of neutron stars; pulsars; magnetars; gamma-ray bursts; relativistic winds and synchrotron nebulae.
Lecture Notes will be provided via the Moodle e-learning platform
Learning Objectives
The course is aimed at providing the needed theoretical basis for the study of high energy astrophysics phenomena (supernova events, gamma-ray bursts, neutron stars, black holes, cosmic rays). Basic notions of general relativity, relativistic hydrodynamics and magneto-hydrodynamics, and non-thermal radiation processes are recalled. The course is recommended for students who are interested in studying in deeper the subjects that are treated in Relativistic Astrophysics and Astrophysical Plasmas. The course is suitable also for students who are interested in theoretical physics and nuclear/subnuclear physics, and for PhD students.
Prerequisites
The class is recomended for students that already attended "Astrofisica Relativistica", and "Plasmi Astrofisici" it can be taken also by students of the theoretical and nuclear-subnuclear physics curricula, and by PhD students.
Teaching Methods
Class Lectures
Type of Assessment
Oral exam on the blackboard: 4 free questions from the teachers on the topics covered during the course. The exam ends when the candidate has answered the 4 questions. Approximate duration around 60m (depends on how long the candidate takes to answer). The ability to reconstruct any demonstrations carried out in class is evaluated, together with the role of assumptions and simplifications, the understanding of the underlying physical processes, and the mastery of the subject, as well as the ability to criticize and abstract to different astrophysical contexts from those specifically described in class. It assumes mastery of all the subjects of the preparatory courses (prerequisites), or of the previous years.
Course program
Part 1: Introduction to Cosmic Ray physics; basic plasma physics concepts needed in cosmic ray physics; hadronic emission processes; wave-particle interactions and streaming instabilities; from Fokker-Planck equation to the CR transport equation; Fermi acceleration mechanism; acceleration theory based on the transport equation; maximum achievable energy; cosmic rays and supernova remnants; non-linear theory of diffusive shock acceleration; propagation of cosmic rays through the Galaxy. Part 2: Relativistic HD and MHD, Compact Objects and NS, GRBs.