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PH40113: High energy astrophysics

[Page last updated: 21 April 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/3
Owning Department/School: Department of Physics
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before or while taking this module you must take PH30108 OR take MA40255 OR take PH30043
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* explain in detail the physical processes involving creation of high energy photons/particles, such as synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering;
* critically discuss the observed properties of AGNs, pulsars, black holes and X-ray binaries;
* describe the physics of high-energy accretion processes and the generation of gamma-ray bursts and extragalactic jets;
* discuss the characteristics and origins of cosmic rays;
* solve detailed problems concerning synchrotron and bremsstrahlung radiation, and the dynamics of energetic outflows and associated phenomena.

Aims: The aim of this unit is to explore in depth a range of astrophysical scenaria involving high-energy processes, such as cosmic rays, pulsars, black holes, active galactic nuclei and astrophysical jets.

Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A.

Content: Physical processes: collisions, ionisation, shock waves, synchrotron radiation, thermal and relativistic bremsstrahlung, inverse Compton scattering, spectral line emission and absorption processes, accretion processes.
Stellar objects: neutron stars, pulsars, magnetars and black holes, X-ray binaries, binary neutron stars, neutrino astrophysics.
Extragalactic objects: classification of active galactic nuclei: quasars, Seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies, accretion discs, super-massive black holes, relativistic jets, superluminal motion, gamma-ray bursts.
Cosmic rays: observation of cosmic rays and their characteristics; sources of cosmic rays: supernova remnants, the galactic halo.

Programme availability:

PH40113 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USPH-AFM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFM11 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Research placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AAM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AAM14 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USPH-AKM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USPH-AKM11 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 5)
  • USPH-AAM15 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 5)

PH40113 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USPH-AFM02 : MPhys(Hons) Physics (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Research placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AAM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AAM12 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USPH-AKM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USPH-AKM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 5)
  • USPH-AAM13 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 5)
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 4)
  • USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.