Courses / Module

Toggle Print

RADIO ASTRONOMY & THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

Module code: EP452
Credits: 5
Semester: 1
Department: EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
International:
Coordinator: Dr Neil Trappe (EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS)

	Overview
	The aim of this module is to introduce the main topics and techniques in radio astronomy and outline the physical processes of the ISM (Interstellar Medium), also an important source of radio emission in the Universe. Specific topics that are covered include: Radio telescopes & receivers, Radio observing techniques, Radio sources and radiometry, Radio interferometry & principles of aperture synthesis General properties of the ISM. Physical conditions in HI and HII regions, radiatively excited regions. Interstellar dust and extinction. Masers and stimulated emission processes, Heating and cooling processes, introduction to gas dynamics, molecular clouds and the early processes of star formation, spectral line analysis and observational techniques.

Overview

The aim of this module is to introduce the main topics and techniques in radio astronomy and outline the physical processes of the ISM (Interstellar Medium), also an important source of radio emission in the Universe.

Specific topics that are covered include:

Radio telescopes & receivers, Radio observing techniques, Radio sources and radiometry, Radio interferometry & principles of aperture synthesis

General properties of the ISM. Physical conditions in HI and HII regions, radiatively excited regions. Interstellar dust and extinction. Masers and stimulated emission processes, Heating and cooling processes, introduction to gas dynamics, molecular clouds and the early processes of star formation, spectral line analysis and observational techniques.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Describe and explain the essential features of radio astronomy techniques. Describe the process of radio interferometry and aperture synthesis and recognise the use of Fourier transform in aperture synthesis. Solve problems relevant to radiometry and general radio astronomy techniques. Summarise the physics of different classified regions of the ISM and identify radio techniques to measure characteristics of the ISM dust and gas. Describe the mechanism of radiative transfer and its role in ISM radio observations of different regions. Identify the role of spectral line analysis in ISM observations and solve associated numerical problems. Examine the physics of HI and HII regions and associated ionisation/recombination balance. Examine the influence of the Earth's atmosphere on radio astronomy.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes University scheduled written examination (Autumn): 120 minutes, On-campus

	Pre-Requisites
	3rd Year Physics with Astrophysics or equivalent

Timetable

Search form

Courses / Module

RADIO ASTRONOMY & THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

Semester 1

Semester 2