MPBPVF01 Astronomy proseminar I

Institute of physics in Opava
winter 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
RNDr. Tomáš Gráf, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
RNDr. Tomáš Gráf, Ph.D.
Institute of physics in Opava
Timetable of Seminar Groups
MPBPVF01/A: Wed 14:45–16:20 B1, T. Gráf
Prerequisites (in Czech)
(FAKULTA(FU) && TYP_STUDIA(B))
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
1. Introductory introduction to the study of astrophysics and the possibilities of creative involvement of students, organization of a proseminar. History of astronomy and the birth of astrophysics, physical constants and units used in astrophysics. 2. The basic building blocks of matter and the 4 fundamental forces. 3. Radiation the main source of information about the universe. Electromagnetic radiation: thermal radiation, braking radiation, cyclotron and synchrotron radiation, polarization, radiation from atoms and molecules - spectral lines, continuum, MASER; cosmic rays, neutrinos; gravitational waves. 4. Basic characteristics of stars. Stellar size, colour index, spectral class, H-R diagram, mass-luminosity relationship, colour diagram. 5. Spherical astronomy, time. Horizon coordinates, equatorial coordinates of 1st and 2nd kind; sidereal time, true and mean solar time, time zones. 6. Star charts and catalogues, rotation chart, star yearbook. 7. Important constellations, visibility of constellations by season. Circumpolar constellations, constellations of the zodiac, summer triangle; orientation in the sky. 8. Constellations of the autumn and winter sky. 9. Movement of bodies in the solar system. Kepler's laws of planetary motion, orbital elements, Kepler's equation; opposition, conjunction, elongation; retrograde motion of the outer planets; comets. 10. Astronomical instruments. Telescopes refractors and reflectors, useful magnifications, optical defects, mountings; CCD cameras; spectroscopy. 11. Calendars.
Literature
  • Hvězdářská ročenka pro daný rok.
  • Vanýsek, V. Základy astronomie a astrofyziky. Praha, 1980.
  • Karttunen, H. a kol. Fundamental Astronomy. Springer, 2007.
  • Šolc, M., Švestka, J., Vanýsek, V. Fyzika hvězd a vesmíru. Praha, 1983.
  • Gráf, Tomáš. Astronomický proseminář I a II: Distanční studijní text. 1. vyd. Opava, 2019. 152 s.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms winter 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fu/winter2025/MPBPVF01