|
Contact: Cristiano Porciani porciani@astro.uni-bonn.de AIfA, 1.30 0228 733 664 |
|
Lectures: Tue 11:15-13:00, HS Astronomie. Lecture attendance is strongly encouraged. Solution of problem sheets is required for getting the credits. Office Hours: by appointment. |
|
Teaching assistant: Michele Compostella mcompos@astro.uni-bonn.de AIfA, 1.024 0228 733 433 |
|
Exercise Classes: To be decided in the class |
|
Subject: The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the physics of the intergalactic medium (the material that pervades the vast regions between galaxies) and with its significance for cosmology and the astrophysics of galaxies. Thanks to progress in observations, theoretical modeling, and computational power, our knowledge in this field is growing rapidly. The main questions driving current research will be discussed and new results introduced as they occur. This course gives an overview of both the theoretical framework and the key observations. No prior knowledge of astrophysics will be assumed. It addresses students in the 7th semester of higher and it is geared towards preparing them for graduate studies in physics, astronomy and computer science. This class includes 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of additional discussion (and problem solution) per week. Basic understanding of differential calculus is required. |
|
Syllabus: Basic: Transport of continuum and line radiation, photo-ionizations and radiative recombinations, the cooling function, the expanding universe. Advanced: Cosmic recombination, the dark ages, hydrogen and helium reionization, 21cm-probes of the dark ages and reionization, quasar absorption systems, the UV background, the warm-hot intergalactic medium, intracluster gas, Lyman-alpha fluorescence. |
|
Prerequisites: Calculus, basic atomic physics (hydrogen atom), and basic thermodynamics. No previous knowledge of astrophysics is required. |
|
Literature: The study of the intergalactic medium is a young subject. No textbook exists for this topic. Lecture notes will be distributed. |