PX2140: The Stars and their Planets
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX2140 |
| External Subject Code | 100414 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L5 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Jane Greaves |
| Semester | Autumn Semester |
| Academic Year | 2017/8 |
Outline Description of Module
- To explain how properties of stars are measured.
- To introduce the physical properties of the Sun and its relationship to other stars.
- To introduce the basic physical processes involved in determining the observable properties and internal structure of main sequence stars.
- To introduce the physical properties of extrasolar planets and how they are measured.
- To develop techniques for solving simple problems in stellar physics.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
The student will be able to:
- Describe the range of stellar properties and how stars are classified.
- Describe the physical mechanisms and internal structure of stars of different mass, with particular emphasis on the Sun and similar stars.
- Describe the observational characteristics of different types of stars, including colour, luminosity and spectral features.
- Make, solve, and interpret simple models of stars by combining mathematical techniques and physical principles.
- Describe and explain the life-cycle of stars of different mass.
- Explain how extrasolar planets are detected and their basic properties characterised.
How the module will be delivered
Lectures and marked exercies
Skills that will be practised and developed
Problem Solving. Mathematics. Investigative Skills. Analytical Skills.
How the module will be assessed
Examination and coursework.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Autumn Semester | 80 | The Stars And Their Planets | 2 |
| Written Assessment | 20 | The Stars And Their Planets | N/A |
Syllabus content
Introduction: Basic physical properties of stars: luminosity, temperature, mass etc., and how they are determined observationally; stellar classification and the Hertzprung-Russell diagram.
The Equations of Stellar Structure: mass conservation, hydrostatic equilibrium, the virial theorem, equation of state, energy production, energy transport; characteristic timescales.
Energy Production and nucleosynthesis: Nuclear fusion; hydrogen-burning via the PP chain and CNO cycle; burning of heavier elements.
Energy Transport: Radiation; convection and Schwarzschild’s criterion; opacity; convective and radiative zones in main sequence stars.
Stellar models: Simple stellar models and the existence and properties of the main sequence.
The Sun as a Star: Internal structure of the Sun; the Standard Solar Model; solar neutrinos; the solar atmosphere; the solar wind; sunspots, flares, coronal mass ejections, etc.
Star Formation: The interstellar medium and molecular clouds; gravitational collapse and the Jeans mass; protostar properties; evolution onto the main sequence; observational characteristics of protostars; brown dwarfs, the initial mass function.
Extrasolar Planets: Discs around protostars; planet formation by accretion; measurement of planet mass via stellar recoil and planet size via transit; giant and terrestrial planet properties; influence of stellar evolution and activity on planet habitability.
Background Reading and Resource List
An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and Evolution, D Prialnik (Cambridge University Press).
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, B W Carroll and D A Ostlie (Pearson Addison-Wesley)
An Introduction to Stellar Astrophysics, F LeBlanc (Wiley)
An Introduction to the Sun and Stars, S F Green and M H Jones (Open University Press).