Course overview
This course will provide students with a knowledge of modern techniques, theory, and observational results relating to energetic processes in astrophysics and cosmology, and introduce the physics of planetary atmospheres with special emphasis on the atmosphere of the Earth. It will also provide students with knowledge of the physical processes that govern weather and climate. Content will include: Introduction to planetary atmospheres and the solar system. Radiative transfer in the sun-earth system. Thermodynamics of the atmosphere, including cloud physics, atmospheric motions and circulation. Introduction to the roles of aerosols and minor atmospheric constituents such as water vapour, carbon dioxide and ozone. The impact of anthropogenic processes. An introduction to relevant astrophysics terminology. Binary stars and accretion processes. The structure and evolution of the Milky Way and other galaxies. Active galaxies and unified models. Aspects of special and general relativity relevant to astrophysics. Cosmology, observations and theory.
Course learning outcomes
- understand Binary Stars and Accretion in Close Binary Systems, and the associated processes occurring in the Milky Way and other galaxies
- explain aspects of special and general relativity related to astrophysics
- explain cosmology, both observation and theory
- apply the concepts of thermodynamics of dry and moist air, radiation and radiative transfer relevant to planetary atmospheres
- explain the basic motion of the atmosphere
- explain climate and climate change
- apply appropriate techniques for solving a range of problemsassess the validity of any assumptions that were made, and the correctness of the solution
- identify the basic concepts and results of modern research papers in atmospheric and astrophysics
- use the tools, methodologies, language and conventions of physics to test and communicate ideas and explanations.