Course teacher(s)
Sophie VAN ECK (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
-
The atmospheres of stars
-
Description of the electromagnetic field
-
The transfer equation
-
Absorption in the lines
-
Line broadening processes
-
Absorption in the continuum
-
Local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE
-
Model atmospheres
-
Stellar spectra analysis
-
Stellar winds
-
Chemical abundances in the Galaxy
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
This course presents the transfer equation and radiative processes of astrophysical interest. It provides the physical concepts necessary to the understanding of model atmospheres and abundance determinations. Stellar abundances are then put in the context of Galactic chemical evolution, and abundances of stellar populations of neighbouring galaxies.
Teaching methods and learning activities
Oral lectures illustrated by numerous practical examples and illustrations. Support: blackboard.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
-
Stellar Atmosphere, D. Mihalas, Publisher: W H Freeman & Co (Sd); 2 edition ;
-
Radiative Transfer in Stellar Atmospheres, R. Rutten, http://esoads.eso.org/abs/2003rtsa.book.....R ;
-
Spectrophysics: principles and applications, Anne P. Thorne, Ulf Litzén, Sveneric Johansson, Springer
Other information
Contacts
Sophie Van Eck. Phone: +32-2-650.28.63
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Other
Other
Oral examination with all documents available
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
Course compréhension: 2/3
Personal work: 1/3