- Docente: Cristian Vignali
- Credits: 6
- 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
This course focuses on the high-energy (X-ray and Gamma-ray)
emission from populations of Galactic and extra-galactic
sources.
The student is expected to attain a good knowledge of the
techniques related to the detection of X-ray and Gamma-ray photons
and on the properties of past and present X-ray telescopes.
Students will be able to critically discuss the high-energy
emission properties
of compact X-ray sources, mostly X-ray binaries and Active Galactic
Nuclei (AGN), and extended X-ray sources, with particular emphasis
on the Galactic Center region. Through a multi-wavelength approach,
students will relate the X-ray properties of AGN with their
emission at other wavelengths; they will also study the AGN
contribution to the cosmic X-ray background.
Course contents
INTRODUCTION TO HIGH-ENERGY ASTROPHYSICS
- Detection techniques for high-energy photons. X-ray and Gamma-ray detectors; CCDs in X-rays. Wolter-type telescopes and coded-aperture masks.
- History of the high-energy Astronomy. Excursus on the properties of the main X-ray/Gamma-ray satellites of the 'golden age'.
- Hints on emission mechanisms: blackbody/bremsstrahlung/synchrotron/Compton scattering and Inverse Compton scattering, and some examples in the field of high-energy Astrophysics. Line production; collisional and ionization equilibrium.
GALACTIC X-RAY ASTRONOMY
- X-ray emission from Solar System objects.
- Stellar X-ray Astronomy: main-sequence (MS) and pre-MS stars/very low-mass stars.
- White dwarfs, cataclysmic variables, novae, pulsars, pulsar wind nebulae, and neutron stars.
- X-ray binaries: classification and physical properties.
- The Galactic Center: a multi-wavelength perspective. Emission from point-like and extended X-ray/Gamma-ray sources. Properties of the Fermi bubbles. Matter infalling onto SgrA*.
EXTRA-GALACTIC X-RAY ASTRONOMY
- Clusters of galaxies.
- Ultraluminous X-ray sources
- Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN): X-ray spectral components in X-rays: models vs. observations. AGN multi-wavelength properties and classification.
- Hints on Unified Model of AGN.
- X-ray surveys in the last decade. AGN contribution to the cosmic X-ray background. Open issues.
- High-redshift AGN: detection and multi-wavelength properties. The nature of seed black holes.
Readings/Bibliography
- J. Trumper & G. Hasinger: "The Universe in X-rays", Astronomy & Astrophysics Library, Springer
- Frederick D. Seward, Philip A. Charles: "Exploring the X-ray Universe", Cambridge University Press
- Glenn F. Knoll: "Radiation Detectors for X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy", Third Edition (2000), John Wiley & Sons
- Hale Bradt: "Astronomy Methods", Cambridge University Press
- Hale Bradt: "Astrophysics Processes: The Physics Of Astronomical Phenomena", Cambridge University Press
- George B. Rybicky, Alan P. Lightman: "Radiative Processes in Astrophysics", Wiley
- S.M. Kahn, P. von Ballmoos, R.A. Sunyaev: "High-Energy Spectroscopic Astrophysics", Springer
- Malcolm S. Longair: "High-Energy Astrophysics", Cambridge University Press
- Fulvio Melia: "High-Energy Astrophysics", Princeton University Press
- Bradley M. Peterson: "An introduction to Active Galactic Nuclei", Cambridge University Press
- J. Frank, A. King & D. Raine: "Accretion Power in Astrophysics", Cambridge University Press
- Walter H.G. Lewin, Michiel van der Klis: "Compact Stellar X-ray Sources", Cambridge Astrophysics Series, 39
- Keith Arnaud, Randall Smith, Aneta Siemiginowska: "Handbook of X-ray astronomy", Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers
- Gabriele Ghisellini: "Radiative processes in high energy astrophysics", Springer, Lecture Notes in Physics 873
- Anil K. Pradhan & Sultana N. Nahar: "Compact Stellar X-ray Sources", Atomic Astrophysics and Spectroscopy", Cambridge University Press
- Hagai Netzer: "The Physics and Evolution of Active Galactic Nuclei", Cambridge University Press
- Haardt F., Gorini V., Moschella U., Treves A., Colpi M.:
"Astrophysical Black Holes", Springer, Lecture Notes in Physics, 905 - Falanga M., Belloni T., Casella P., Gilfanov M., Jonker P., King A.: "The Physics of Accretion onto Black Holes", Springer, Space Sciences Series
of ISSI
Teaching methods
Oral lectures. During lessons, all the problems related to the detection of high-energy emission from cosmic sources and their emission mechanisms will be deeply investigated using textbooks and recent articles and reviews from literature.
Assessment methods
Oral exam, starting from a topic chosen by the student. The oral exam will comprise questions on X-ray/Gamma-ray instruments, on emission mechanisms, and on Galactic and extra-galactic topics. It is mandatory that the student is able to link, in the most appropriate way, the various topics discussed during the course, in particular the high-energy emission of the classes of X-ray sources with the emission mechanisms discussed at the beginning of the course. The candidate should demonstrate the capability of discussing in a critical way the main problems and open issues of modern high-energy astrophysics, and skill of deriving physical quantities for X-ray sources.
Teaching tools
Powerpoint presentations (available on my personal Unibo web page) and blackboard.
Office hours
See the website of Cristian Vignali