ASP3012 Stars and galaxies
Faculty of Science
ASP3012 Stars and galaxies is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2023 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 1 other task
This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ASP3012
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After ASP3012
No unit lists ASP3012 as a prerequisite in the 2023 handbook.
Overview
Stars and Galaxies are the most fundamental objects in astronomy. This unit will introduce you to the modern study of stars and galaxies, how we collect data and how computational tools work hand in hand with telescopes to advance our understanding. We will study the following topics: observing the stars; thermodynamics and equation of state; stellar composition; reduced equations of stellar structure; polytrophic stellar models; stellar energy sources and timescales; energy transport; full equations of stellar structure; evolution of the Sun; the main sequence; post-main-sequence evolution; stellar nucleosynthesis; red giants and supernovae; chemical evolution of the Galaxy; Galactic archaeology; Galactic morphology and stellar content; Galactic dynamics; orbits in spherical and axisymmetric potentials; potential theory; elliptical and spiral galaxies; large-scale structure of the Milky Way; dark matter; galactic distances; surface brightness of galaxies; collisions between galaxis; active galaxies.
Offerings in 2023
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- In-semester assessment50%
- Examination (3 hours and 10 minutes)50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain the nature of stellar structure and evolution, stellar life histories, and their ultimate fates;how they produce energy, how they synthesise the chemical elements, and their ultimate fates;
- 2
Describe stellar nucleosythesis, the main nuclear processes, their products and sites within stars and the elements they produce;
- 3
Build simple computer models of stars and galaxies;
- 4
Distinguish and classify different types of galaxies;
- 5
Explain the relationships between stellar evolution, galactic evolution, and the creation of the elements;
- 6
Demonstrate the implications of the observed nature of galaxies for theories of the universe;
- 7
Describe the morphology and kinematics of the Milky Way;
- 8
Summarise the significance of dark matter to galactic structure;
- 9
Illustrate the use of multi-wavelength data for understanding stars and galaxies;
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
The workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours spread across the semester (roughly 12 hours per week) - approximately an even mixture of attendance at scheduled activities and self-scheduled study time. Learning activities comprise a mixture of instructor directed, peer directed and self-directed learning, which includes face-to-face and online engagement.
This unit involves a mixture of computer laboratories, theoretical workshops. This reflects the status of astrophysics as a multidisciplinary science based on observation, theory, and computational modelling.
Learning resources
Required resources
Carroll & Ostlie (CO) An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics , 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley (2007) http://wps.aw.com/aw_carroll_ostlie_astro_2e/48/12319/3153834.cw/index.html
Recommended resources
L. Sparke and J. Gallagher "Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction"
R. Kippenhahn, A. Weigert, and Weiss “Stellar Structure and Evolution”
D. Clayton “Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis”
Where it fits
ASP3012 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2023 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor John Lattanzio
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor John Lattanzio
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ASP3012?
ASP3012 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is ASP3012 offered?
In 2023, ASP3012 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does ASP3012 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.
Which majors and minors include ASP3012?
ASP3012 is part of Astrophysics and Physics.