- Docente: Andrea Cimatti
- Credits: 8
- SSD: FIS/05
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Astrophysics and cosmology (cod. 8018)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide the student with the
fundamental knowledge of the extragalactic astrophysics, and the
formation and evolution of galaxies in the general cosmlogical
context. The student will develop the knowledge of the physics and
astrophysics processes which explain the observed properties of
galaxies and their evolution. In particular: - the cosmological
framework, the formation of structures and theoretical predictions;
- the general properties of our Galaxy and the Local Group; - the
physical, evolutionary and structural properties of galaxies and
galaxy clusters; - methods of surveys for galaxies at cosmological
distances; - properties of galaxies at cosmological distances; -
current constraints on the formation and evolution of
galaxies.
Course contents
The course aims at providing a coherent and modern view of extragalactic astrophysics, formation and evolution of galaxies and clusters, galaxies in the cosmological context, and the observational approaches that are now possible to study the distant Universe directly.
Main topics :- Classification of galaxies.
- Our Galaxy and the Local Group.
- The physics of gas in galaxy formation and evolution : diffuse
matter, ionization and recombination, cooling and heating processes
of astrophysical gas, molecular gas, interstellar dust,
gravitational collapse and Jeans mass.
- Structural and physical properties of galaxies in present-day Universe (ellipticals, spirals, irregulars): diffuse medium, stars, star formation, chemical abundances, masses, scaling relations, surface brightness profiles, distribution functions (e.g. luminosity, mass, ...), clustering, environmental effects, galaxy interactions.
- General properties of galaxy clusters : structure, estimate of masses, mass fractions (dark, gas, galaxies), properties of galaxies in clusters, scaling relations, S-Z effect.
- Outline of the cosmological model and theory of structure formation.
- The evolution of the baryonic component.
- The formation of disks and spheroids.
- The formation of the first objects (Population III stars).
- Intergalactic Medium and Reionization.
- Methods to select high redshift galaxies.
- Physical properties of high redshift galaxies.
- Global cosmic evolution (luminosity, star formation, mass, metallicity, morphology, ...)
- Comparison of observations and theoretical models.
- Future prospects.
Readings/Bibliography
Most of the course topics are included in the following texts :
1) P. Schneider, "Extragalactic Astronomy & Cosmology. An
Introduction". Springer Verlag.
2) Gallagher & Sparke, "Galaxies in the Universe" (Second
Edition), Cambrige University Press.
3) Studying Distant Galaxies, F. Hammer et al., World Scientific.
For more details and in-depth study of specific topics :
Mo, van den Bosch & White, ¨Galaxy Formation and Evolution¨, Cambrige University Press
Other readings will be suggested during the course. Moreover,
the slides shown during the
lectures will be made available in order to allow to follow the
topics actually presented during the course.
Teaching methods
The lectures are oral and make use of both slides (as a visual help) and traditional blackboard for the proofs, examples and exercies. In addition, students are assigned some specialist articles to be read and discussed later in the classroom.
Assessment methods
The exams are oral. During the exams, at least three questions are asked in order to verify the learning level and the ability of the student to link coherently the different topics of the course.
Teaching tools
Blackboard and presentations of powerpoint slides.
Links to further information
http://www.unibo.it/SitoWebDocente/default.aspx?UPN=a.cimatti%40unibo.it
Office hours
See the website of Andrea Cimatti