Introduction to astronomy: position astronomy, stellar photometry with lab practice, application of the gravitation law to stellar and planetary systems.
It is foreseen also a virtual observatory to perform a measure of distance with the method of cepheids.
Lectures in Moodle and
Karttunen et al. Fundamental Astronomy, Springer
in italian:
Karttunen et al., Fondamenti di Astronomia, UTET Università
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: the bases of the positional astronomy, of the gravity applied to celestial bodies and of the stellar fotometry, with basic aspects of spectroscopy.
Competence acquired: knowledge of the celestial sphere and the measure of time. Perfom a photometric analysis of a star field. Understand the motion of the celestial bodies.
Skills acquired: being prepared to elaborate on modern astronomical issues.
Prerequisites
Physics I
Teaching Methods
Lectures
Data analysis in a computation facility
Further information
Type of Assessment
Oral examination.
Length: 25-45 minutes.
One question for module.
The student should expose with appropriate language demonstrating the understanding of the main physical processes, and how the starting assumptions determine the final results. More specific questions could be asked during the presentation of the topics to better determine the student's level of understanding. The student must know the dimensions involved in astronomy and must be able to make simple calculations of orders of magnitude but also fully develop the mathematical model where this has been presented in class.
Course program
Module 1
(Prof. Romoli)
Time and Coordinates: celestial sphere, coordinate systems, time measurement, solar and sidereal time, position of the Sun on the celestial sphere,
analemma.
Astrometry: parallax and distance scale, Doppler effect and measurement of radial velocities.
Photometry: Radiative flux, magnitudes, color index, interstellar extiction, atmospheric effects.
Stars: HR diagram, star types, spectroscopic classification and surface temperature. Practice on measurement of stellar fluxes and on HR diagram construction.
Module 2
(Prof. Risaliti)
Gravitation: two body problem, Kepler Laws, solution for orbital motion, Kepler equation.
Binary stars: visual, astrometric, photometric, spectroscopic. Stars mass and radius.
Application: exoplanets, detection techniques, phenomenology and physical properties.
Tidal effects, equinoctial precession, nutation.
Practical activity:
Virtual observatory activity to perform a measure of distance with the method of cepheids.