2020 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Physics Graduate major in Physics
Astrophysics
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Tadayasu Dotani
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Mon (Zoom)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.F432
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this course, we pick up various high energy phenomena in the universe, and lecture the physical processes governing the phenomena and their emission mechanisms. Thanks to the recent developments in observing the universe, in particular in the X-ray and gamma ray bands, our understanding of high energy phenomena has advanced in leaps and bounds. We will cover various high energy phenomena, in connection with the latest observational results. We will also cover the fundamentals of the radiative processes necessary for understanding these kinds of phenomena.
The goal of this course is to utilize knowledge in mechanics, electromagnetism, thermal and statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, etc. learned so far to explain the high energy phenomena in the universe revealed with the latest observations from the physics viewpoint.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to
1) Explain underlying physics of high energy phenomena in the universe.
2) Explain the high energy phenomena revealed by the latest space observations.
3) Explain characteristics of blackbody radiation, Rayleigh scattering, and Photoelectric absorption, which are important radiative processes in the universe.
Keywords
Universe, astrophysics, stars, astronomy, observations
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
- Specialty to understand various phenomena in the universe applying the basic knowledge of physics.
Class flow
Lectures will be given by explaining the latest observational results using slides, and explaining phenomena on the blackboard. The slides are basically written in English with partial Japanese translation. This course will be mostly given in English, but Japanese is also used partially.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Basic of the observational astrophysics | Explain the hierarchical structure of the universe, the unit system to describe the universe, and basic terms used in astronomy. |
| Class 2 | Solar wind | Explain the characteristics of the solar wind in comparison with the de Laval nozzle. |
| Class 3 | Structure of a degenerate star | Explain the characteristic relation between a radius and a mass of a degenerate star |
| Class 4 | Basics of the radiative processes | Explain blackbody radiation, Rayleigh scattering, and Photoelectric absorption |
| Class 5 | Accretion disk | Explain radiation mechanism of the accretion disk and characteristics of the energy spectrum |
| Class 6 | Basics of the shock wave | Explain the changes of physical parameters at the shock front |
| Class 7 | Supernova remnants | Explain evolution of the supernova remnants (time variation of temperature, density and velocity of gas) |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
none required
Reference books, course materials, etc.
・S. Sakashita, S. Ikeuchi, "Space Fluid Dynamics", Baifukan (Japanese)
・S. Okamura et al. "Series modern astronomy (vol8, 12, 17)"、 Nihon Hyouronsha (Japanese)
・G.B. Rybicki & A.P. Lightman "Radiative Process in Astrophysics" (John Wiley & Sons, NY)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Assess the achievement of the goal of this lecture based on the written report.
Evaluation is based on the standard criteria.
Related courses
- LAS.P101 ： Fundamentals of Mechanics 1
- PHY.E205 ： Electromagnetism
- EPS.B330 ： Fluid Mechanics (EPS course)
- PHY.S209 ： Thermodynamics (Physics)
- PHY.S301 ： Statistical Mechanics
- PHY.F352 ： Physics of the Universe
- PHY.Q207 ： Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment of related courses are desirable.