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Stellar Astrophysics
Postgraduate | SWI-AST80016 | 2019
Course information for 2019 intake
Be the star in stellar astrophysics. Illuminate the form, function and evolution of stars from supernovae and white dwarfs to black holes. Assess physical processes that change the luminosity of stars. Design an enlightening, astral research project.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- -
FEE-HELP available
Stellar Astrophysics
About this subject
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Explain the classification schemes of stars, their physical parameters and the importance of the HR diagram
- Explain and summarise the mechanism of star formation and the evolution of stars from the main sequence through to the RGB and AGB phase
- Appraise and state the processes and properties of high mass stellar remnants, including supernovae, planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes;
- Solve mathematical problems related to the physical processes that underlie stellar properties and evolution;
- Explain and summarise stellar astrophysical concepts in a non-technical manner understandable to the general public
- Design and create a research project on an astronomy topic, assessing and critiquing current knowledge, using credible sources of astronomical information, data and research articles
- Classifying stars: magnitudes, colours, spectral types; physical properties; stellar spectra; the HR diagram
- Stellar energy: gravitational contraction versus fusion, stellar nucleosynthesis
- Hydrostatic equilibrium and radiation pressure; equations of stellar structure; stellar atmospheres
- Protostars: cloud collapse, initial mass function, evolutionary tracks and ZAMS
- Main sequence stars: lifetime on the MS
- Evolution off the main sequence: low mass versus high mass stars
- Supernovae: explosive nucleosynthesis, supernovae remnants
- Neutron stars
- Stellar mass black holes
- Pulsating stars: the instability strip, helioseismology
- Binary stars
- Stellar clusters: types of clusters, open clusters and stellar evolution models, globular clusters; colour-magnitude diagrams
This subject aims to cover the physical processes underlying stellar properties and the principles behind models of stellar evolution.
- Computer Managed Tests (20%)
- Newsgroups (30%)
- Project (50%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
- SWI-AST80004-Exploring Stars and the Milky Way
SWI-HET603 (Not currently available)
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
SWI-HET611 (Not currently available)
Others
You should complete introductory tertiary-level mathematics and physics before commencing in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.