96454 - Galaxy Clusters

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Astrophysics and Cosmology (cod. 5828)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Astrophysics and cosmology (cod. 8018)

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide a broad-band knowledge of the physical properties of galaxy clusters ecosystem (dark matter, gas, galaxies and non thermal components). At the end of the class the student will be familiar with the current astrophysical research on the evolution of gas and galaxies in clusters. The student will acquire a deep understanding of several important processes, like AGN feedback, chemical enrichment, galaxy ram pressure stripping, relativistic particles physics, and more. The course will provide the necessary astronomical background and will dive deep into several key research topics, always comparing theory and observations. At the end of the course the student will be able to comprehend research papers on these subjects.

Course contents

Physical components of Galaxy Clusters: dark matter, intracluster gas, galaxies, relativistic particles and magnetic field.

Intracluster medium: basics of plasma physics. Equilibrium configurations of the gas. Thermal and dynamical evolution of the gas: theory of cooling flow. Cooling flow problems. AGN feedback. Chemical enrichment of the intracluster medium. Use of clusters in Cosmology.

Galaxies: morphology-density relation. Dynamical interactions between galaxies: mergings and harassment. Interaction between galaxies and the intracluster medium: ram pressure stripping and evaporation. Formation of the central galaxy: dynamical friction.

Magnetic field and relativistic particles: synchrotron emission. Compton effect. Diffuse radio emission: halos, mini-halos and relics. Equipartition. Methods to estimate the magnetic field intensity. Radio emission from X-ray cavities.

Readings/Bibliography

SLides of the lectures + scientific papers (quoted in the slides).

Specific chapters of several books, quoted during the lectures.

Teaching methods

Lectures and discussion on the theory and observations, using both slides and blackboard.

Assessment methods

Oral exam. The first part of the exam is a discussion on a subject chosen by the student. The second part concerns discussions and questions on other topics covered in the class.

Teaching tools

Slides and blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Brighenti