Extragalactic Astrophysics
Module PH2206
Module version of WS 2014/5
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
| available module versions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| WS 2018/9 | SS 2018 | SS 2017 | WS 2014/5 |
Basic Information
PH2206 is a semester module in English or German language at Master’s level which is offered in summer semester.
This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.
- Specific catalogue of special courses for nuclear, particle, and astrophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for condensed matter physics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Biophysics
- Complementary catalogue of special courses for Applied and Engineering Physics
If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.
| Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 h | 40 h | 5 CP |
Responsible coordinator of the module PH2206 in the version of WS 2014/5 was Bruno Leibundgut.
Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions
Content
The universe outside our Milky Way was recognised as such less than 100 years ago. Within less than a century extragalactic astrophysics has become a major research field. Major topics of extragalactic astrophysics are the description and physical understanding of galaxies, the clustering of galaxies in groups, galaxy clusters and large scale structure forming the cosmic web.
The course will describe our Milky Way as a galaxy and how it relates to other galaxies. The local environment of the Milky Way and the Andromeda nebula forming the Local Group and the relation to the nearest galaxy cluster, the Virgo cluster, will be described. The role of dwarf galaxies remains unclear, but they are important for the understanding of star formation. In particular, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are local laboraties for the investigation of small stellar systems. Galaxy morphologies and how they relate to the star formation activity are further topics, which will lead to the global evolution of star formation and the evolution of galaxies. Major components of galaxy formation and evolution are the dark matter and the feedback processes. Active Galactic Nuclei, the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, can influence the evolution of galaxies. As quasars these objects can be observed throughout the universe and represent beacons for the study of gas clouds and intergalactic gas. The extragalactic sky can be observed at many wavelengths and the most energetic events are typically extragalactic.
Learning Outcome
After this course the students should feel confident with topics concerning galaxies as physical entities and their role in the universe. They should have a good understanding of what objects can be observed in the universe and how structure within the universe has formed.
Preconditions
Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature
Courses and Schedule
| Type | SWS | Title | Lecturer(s) | Dates | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VO | 2 | Extragalactic Astrophysics | Suyu, S. |
Mon, 10:00–12:00, PH 2271 |
|
| UE | 2 | Exercise to Extragalactic Astrophysics |
Responsible/Coordination: Suyu, S. |
singular or moved dates and dates in groups |
Learning and Teaching Methods
This is a lecture course. The students should be able to follow the course with the help of occasional backup reading of an astronomy book and the handouts.
Media
Literature
Module Exam
Description of exams and course work
In a written exam the learning outcome is tested using comprehension questions and sample problems.
In accordance with §12 (8) APSO the exam can be done as an oral exam. In this case the time duration is 25 minutes.
Exam Repetition
The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester.