03391 - Celestial Mechanics

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is a deepening of some foundamental topics of celestial mechanics applied to binary and multiple stellar systems in general.  Particular emphasis will be devoted to the problem of the figure of equilibrium of the components of a binary star (Roche model and its relation to the three body problem), of mass transfer, and of matter accretion on compact objects, with application to X-Ray binaries and Cataclismic variables

Course contents

Binary stars and their orbital elements - Orbital period and period variations - The mass function and its application to the search for black holes and extrasolar planets - The figure of equilibrium of the components and the Roche model - The Kopal classification of close binaries - The Algol paradox - The conservative mass transfer - The rapid and slow fases of the mass transfer - Case A,B,C of mass transfer - Accretion of matter on compact objects - The released energy and its spectrum - The efficiency of the process - The Eddington limit to the luminosity and its consequences on mass transfer - The fundamental equations of gas dynamics - Sound waves - Subsonic and supersonics flows - Spherical accretion - The sonic point -The Bernoulli integral and its application to the determination of the rate and luminosity accretion - Accretion via first lagrangean point and the formation of an accretion disk - The luminosity of the disk - Cataclismic variables and Low mass X-Ray Binaries - Accretion via stellar wind - High mass X-Ray binaries.  

Readings/Bibliography

-F.R. Moulton, An introduction to celestial mechanics, Dover pub.

 

- A.E. Roy, Orbital motion, Hilger ltd

 

- J. Frank, A.R. King, A.J. Raine, Accretion power in astropphysics, Cambridge Univ. Press 

Teaching methods

Oral lessons

Assessment methods

Oral exam

Teaching tools

Language of instruction: italian

Office hours

See the website of Adriano Guarnieri Minnucci