B8178 - MULTIMESSENGER ASTROPHYSICS

Learning outcomes

This course covers the fundamental topics in multimessenger astrophysics, with a focus on sources of gravitational and electromagnetic radiation. Students will learn about the electromagnetic emission of astrophysical transients expected to arise from a range of gravitational wave sources and gain knowledge about their observational signatures. This course will also cover the formation channels of gravitational wave sources and their experimental and astronomical detections. Statistical methods to combine multimessenger datasets and their astrophysical and cosmological applications will be also presented

Course contents

- Compact objects: formation, degeneracy and the equation of state of matter at nuclear density

- Isolated neutron stars: pulsars and magnetars. Electromagnetic (EM) and gravitational wave (GW) emission

- Compact binary systems: formation, properties and relevance for GW and multi-messenger astrophysics

- Accreting neutron stars and black holes: links between high-energy (EM)and GW emision

- Gamma-Ray Bursts from binary mergers and from core-collapse

- Kilonovae

- High-energy Neutrinos from relativistic jets

Readings/Bibliography

Selected chapters from different texts in the list below will be used as reference for different topics of the course. Each relevant text/chapter will be clearly indicated in the corresponding lectures.

In addition, reviews from the literature or notes will be made available to students during the course.

1. “White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars and Black holes”, S. Shapiro and S. Teukolsky
   
2. “Compact Objects in Astrophysics”, M. Camenzind
3. “Introduction to High Energy Astrophysics”, M. S. Longair
4. "Foundations of High-Energy Astrophysics", M. Vietri
5. “Gamma-Ray Burst Astrophysics”, B. Zhang
6. “Gravitational Waves” vol. 1 and 2, M. Maggiore

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

The assessment method will be based on an oral exam, lasting typically 40-50 minutes, in which the student will be asked to discuss a few topics among those presented during the lectures, one of which will be at the student's choice. 

The oral exam is aimed at verifying knowledge of the main topics presented in the course, as well as a proper understanding of the astrophysical scenarios in which various multi-messenger sources are or can be observed, the theoretical significance of such observations and their practical implications.

The ability to use proper scientific language is carefully evaluated, and full consideration will also be given to the ability of organising the material within the available time.

If the exam is sufficient, the final mark ranges between 18 and 30 cum laude, with the following range: 18-20 (barely sufficient knowledge, with basic ability of using proper scientific language and time), 21-23 (sufficient knowledge, with a modest ability to use proper scientific language and time), 24-26 (intermediate to good knowledge, with sufficient ability to use proper scientific language and time), 27-29 (good to very good knowledge and ability to present a subject, and to use proper scientific language and time), 30-30/30 cum laude (excellent knowledge, skillful presentation of a topic, optimal use of proper scientific language and time).

The exam grade cannot be rejected more than twice.

Students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will advise students of possible adjustments, that will be submitted to the professor for approval 15 days in advance. He/she will evaluate their suitability also in relation to the academic objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Blackboard and projector

Office hours

See the website of Simone Dall'Osso