69051 - Clusters of Galaxies

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Astrophysics and cosmology (cod. 8018)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the class the student will be able to understand and elaborate on the theories and problems about the main cluster components: dark matter, intracluster medium, galaxies, relativistic particles and magnetic field.

The student will acquire a deep knowledge about the main research topics currently investigated in the astrophysical community, like the AGN feedback process, the evolution of galaxies in the cluster environment, the use of clusters in Cosmology and the physics of the non-thermal components.

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 + many scientific papers.

Specific chapters of several books, quoted during the lectures.

Assessment methods

Oral exam.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Brighenti