Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Astrophysics Research Institute
Learning Methods
Online
Tutorial
Module Offerings
7016ASTPHY-SEP-CTY
Aims
The main aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the transient Universe, and the techniques and facilities used to investigate this realm. Particularly, a good understanding of the physical processes driving phenomena such as, for example, explosive transients, will be sought, along with an appreciation of the wider importance and impact of such systems.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of time-domain astrophysics.
2.
Use the course content to coherently describe the physical nature of transient astrophysical phenomena (e.g., SNe, GRBs)
3.
Show familiarity with the specific observational techniques and facilities used to identify and study variable/transient phenomena
4.
Demonstrate an abilite to analyse and draw conclusions from astronomical observations of time domain phenomena (e.g., photometric ans spectral series)
5.
Undertake independant research using published literature on time domain phenomena not formally taught within the module
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:
- Historical time domain astrophysics; the context leading to the general state of the field today (e.g., expansion parallax, proper motions, pulsars, etc.).
- Techniques specific to and developed for time domain astrophysics (e.g,. difference image analysis).
- Facilities developed for or supporting time domain observations; existing and future (e.g., LT/NRT, LSST, SKA, etc.).
- Explosive transient phenomena; Novae, thermonuclear Supernovae, core collapse Supernovae, ‘exotic’ SNe, Gamma Ray Bursts – characteristics, progenitor systems including formation, populations, importance – general concepts, e.g., Luminosity vs time-scale plot.
- General transients and variables through self-directed study, e.g., tidal disruption events, Luminous blue variables, dwarf novae, general cataclysmic variables, X-ray transients, active galactic nuclei, extra solar planet discovery techniques, e.g. transits, radial velocity, astrometric, gravitational microlensing, potential gravitational waves sources, the variable star zoo – characteristics, formation, populations.
Module Overview:
This module aims to develop your understanding of the transient Universe, and the techniques and facilities used to investigate this realm. It provides a sound understanding of the physical processes driving phenomena such as explosive transients. It:
This module aims to develop your understanding of the transient Universe, and the techniques and facilities used to investigate this realm. It provides a sound understanding of the physical processes driving phenomena such as explosive transients. It:
- introduces the concepts of time domain astrophysics and the techniques used to analyse and understand it
- develops your independent learning skills and IT capability to access and extract relevant scientific information
Additional Information:
This module is designed to introduce the concepts of time domain astrophysics to students, both the astrophysical sources showing strong variation over time and the techniques used to analyse and understand these.
There will be particular emphasis on developing independent learning skills and IT capability to access and extract relevant scientific information via the VLE and databases available from LJMU.
Module delivered by distance learning.
This module is designed to introduce the concepts of time domain astrophysics to students, both the astrophysical sources showing strong variation over time and the techniques used to analyse and understand these.
There will be particular emphasis on developing independent learning skills and IT capability to access and extract relevant scientific information via the VLE and databases available from LJMU.
Module delivered by distance learning.