NFYK14017U Astronomical spectra

Knowledge:The student must demonstrate:

• a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind the interaction between matter and radiation, and how this interaction results in a spectrum.
• knowledge of what determines the structure of a stellar atmosphere, and how it is calculated.
• an understanding of the fundamental physics behind spectral transitions in atoms and molecules.
• an appreciation of the objects that dominate the high energy sky, how their spectra appear and understand what physical processes underlie the formation of their spectra.
• a superior knowledge of the origin of continuum and line emission from cold gas and dust, for example, in star forming regions and protoplanetary disks, and an understanding of how long wavelength observations can constrain the distribution and physical conditions in such regions

Skills:
An understanding of how astrophysical spectra occur.
The ability to interpret such spectra and understand the underlying physical processes. An appreciation of how celestial sources appear across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Competences:
Spectroscopy is the most powerful tool in astrophysics, providing detailed and precise information at the nuclear, atomic and molecular levels. The aim of the course is to give an understanding of what information we can extract from the spectra of astrophysical sources and how.