- Docente: Francesco Rosario Ferraro
- Credits: 8
- SSD: FIS/05
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Francesco Rosario Ferraro (Modulo 1) Maurizio Salaris (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Astrophysics and cosmology (cod. 8018)
Learning outcomes
The aim of this course is presenting the general overview of
stellar evolution for stars of different masses. In particular the
student understands the parameters which drive stellar
evolution, the phenomena which contribute to modify the luminosity
and surface temperature of each star along its thermonuclear
activity. The final stages of stellar evolution are also presented
and discussed. At the end of the course the student is able
to interpret diagrams dealing with the structure and
the evolution of stars and to discuss open questions
in modern stellar astrophysics.
Course contents
Pre-sequence evolution: Hayashi tracks. The H-burning phase. The
stellar structure in stars with different masses. The Zero Age Main
sequence. Evolution from the ZAMS and isothermal cores. Mass
limit of Shomberg-Chandrasekhar. H-burning shell and the expantion
of the envelope. The first penetration of the convective envelope
and the first dredge-up. The Red Giant phase and its features: the
RGB- Bump and the RGB tip. Degenerate core and the
He-mass/luminosity relation. Helim flash in low mass stars.
He-burning and overshooting phenomena. Semiconvection theory. The
double shell- burning: the Asymptotic Giant Branch. The second and
third dredge-up. Thermal pulses in AGB. The s-elements production
in the AGB. Hot bottom burning. The pulsating stars: the cepheids.
General properties - Instability strip - period-luminosity and
period/density relations. K-mechanism and the H and He ionization
regions. The "single-zone" model. The classical Cepheids and the
RR-Lyarae.
The last phases of the evolution for low-mass stars: the white
dwarf: structure and evolution. The Chandrasekhar mass-limit. the
Mass-radius relation. The WD cooling sequence.
The last phase of the evolution of high mass stars: the Si
-burning. Photo-disintegration. The explosion of Type II
supernovae.
Readings/Bibliography
Dispense del corso - Ferraro
An Introduction to modern Astrophysics - Carroll & Ostlie
Evolution of stars and stellar populations - Salaris &
Cassisi
Astrofisica stellare - V. Castellani
Corso di Astrofisica - Cester
Astrophysics I. stars - Bowers& Deeming
Teaching methods
The lectures are supported by power-point presentations and
viewgraphs.
Assessment methods
Oral examination
Teaching tools
The lectures are supported by power-point presentations and
viewgraphs.
Office hours
See the website of Francesco Rosario Ferraro
See the website of Maurizio Salaris