F3080 Introduction into Physics of Stars

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
3/1/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Mikulášek, CSc. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Krtička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Andrea Bobalíková (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Mikulášek, CSc.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Mikulášek, CSc.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Tue 17:00–17:50 F3,03015, Fri 14:00–16:50 F1 6/1014
Prerequisites
F1251 - Elements of astronomy 1
F2252 - Elements of astronomy 2
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The main objectives of the course is the understanding of the structure of inner parts of the stars, stellar atmospheres, and evolution.
Learning outcomes
A student will be able after the ending of the course
- to orient himself in the astrophysical problematics
- to pass the follow up astrophysical courses
Syllabus
  • The definition of astrophysics. The main building blocks of our Universe. The parameters of our Sun and their relationship with other star. Stellar parameters. A typical star in the solar neighbourhood. The selection effect.
  • Definition of stars, models. Mechanical equilibrium in star. Estimate of the central pressure. Physical state of the matter in the star, high-temperature plasma. Thermodynamic equilibrium. Why do stars radiate? Stellar contraction.
  • Ideal gas. Estimate of the central stellar temperature. Electromagnetic radiation, its characteristics, and its origin. Black body radiation. Photon gas. What is the origin of solar photons?
  • Thermonuclear reactions and its role in the stellar energetics. Nucleosynthesis. Energy equilibrium. Radiative diffusion. Opacity and its sources.
  • Mass-luminosity relationship. Eddington luminosity. Convection.
  • The dependence of the characteristics and life time on mass. Stellar structure equations. The origin of the stellar evolution.
  • First ideas of the stellar nature. The benginning of the stellar spectroscopy and astrophysics. The nature of the stellar atmospheres? What is the evidence about their existence?
  • Atomic structure. Hydrogen atom structure. Energy levels. Excitation and deexcitation. Spectrum of hydrogen and hydrogen-like atoms. The nature of spectral series. Structure and spectrum of more complex atoms. Bound-free and free-free transitions and its effect on the spectrum. Interaction of atoms with radiation. Radiation of dense and tenuous gas. Why do star radiate similar to black body?
  • The origin of spectrum in the stellar atmosphere. Continuum and line transitions. Line profiles and their broadening. Model stellar atmospheres.
  • Ionization and excitation in the stellar atmospheres. Boltzmann and Saha equation. The dependence of spectrum on temperature and pressure. Spectral classification.
  • Solar atmosphere. Photosphere, chromosphere, corona, and solar wind.
  • General characteristics of the stellar evolution (example of our Sun).
  • Formation of stars. Evolution up to T Tauri stage. The evolution of the stellar core till the end of the main sequence. The late phases of the evolution of the stellar core.
  • The electron degeneracy and its role in the stellar evolution. Mass loss and its role.
  • Evolution of our Sun till the present times. Structure of present Sun. Expected future evolution of our Sun. The evolution of ideas on the formation and evolution of Sun and stars.
  • The definition of the late stages of the stellar evolution. List of possible evolutionary paths. The degenerate gas. Equation of state of cold catalysed matter. Neutron stars. Black holes.
Literature
  • MIKULÁŠEK, Zdeněk and Jiří KRTIČKA. Základy fyziky hvězd. 2005. info
  • An introduction to modern astrophysics. Edited by Bradley W. Carroll - Dale A. Ostlie. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2007, 1 v. (vari. ISBN 978-0-321-44284-0. info
Teaching methods
3 hour standard lesson + one hour exercise in a week
Assessment methods
Attendance of the excercises is mandatory. A written test is mandatory before the oral exam. Students will be graded according to the oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://physics.muni.cz/~mikulas/
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2007 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Autumn 1999, Autumn 2001, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2011 - acreditation, spring 2012 - acreditation, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2015, autumn 2017, Autumn 2019, autumn 2021, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2023/F3080