EFYBSC0008 Fundamentals of astronomy and astrophysics

Institute of physics in Opava
winter 2025
Extent and Intensity
4/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. RNDr. Jiří Kovář, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Daniel Charbulák, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Jiří Kovář, Ph.D.
Institute of physics in Opava
Timetable
Wed 13:05–14:40 B4, Thu 13:55–15:30 B4
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
EFYBSC0008/A: Thu 15:35–17:10 404, D. Charbulák
Prerequisites
(FAKULTA(FU)&&SOUHLAS)
Fundamentals of classical mechanics.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to enable students to get familiar with the basics of astronomy and astrophysics by using the techniques of more or less high-school mathematics and physics; some parts are presented only in a popular form. The course aims to provide a sufficient foundation for the study of more advanced parts of astronomy and astrophysics.
Learning outcomes
Students will be experienced in fundamentals of astronomy and astrophysics.
Syllabus
1) History of astronomy: Aristarchos, Hipparchos, Ptolemy, Aristotle, Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Hubble, Einstein. 2) Spherical astronomy: coordinate systems, precession and nutation of the Earth's axis, aberration, parallax, refraction; constellations, maps and catalogues of stars; time, calendars. 3) Celestial mechanics: Newton's law of gravitation, escape velocity, Kepler's laws; orbital elements, Kepler's equation; relative positions of planets, synodic and sideric orbits. 4) Solar system: formation, planets and their moons, small bodies; moon, eclipses and occultations, tidal phenomena, libration; apparent and actual motion of planets. 5) Radiation in astrophysics: characteristics of radiation; black body radiation, temperatures; radiation of atoms and molecules, Boltzmann and Sah equations; continuous and line spectra. 6) Basic characteristics of stars: stellar magnitude, Pogson's equation, colour index and extinction, interstellar and atmospheric extinction; spectral classification, H - R diagram. 7) Binaries: classification of binaries, basic properties, mass function.
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussions, problem solving.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fu/winter2025/EFYBSC0008