2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Physics Graduate major in Physics
Astrophysics
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Hideo Matsuhara
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.F432
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course covers the various celestial bodies that exist in the universe, such as stars and galaxies, as well as their structure, birth, and evolution. Thanks to developments in observing the universe in recent years, in particular the operation of space telescopes, our understanding of celestial phenomena has advanced in leaps and bounds. We will cover various celestial phenomena, in connection with the latest observational results. We will also cover the radiative process of electromagnetic waves and particles
necessary for understanding these kinds of celestial phenomena.
The goal of this course is to utilize knowledge in mechanics, electromagnetism, thermal and statistical mechanics, quantum
mechanics, etc. learned up to this point to explain our view of the universe based on the latest observations from a physics
viewpoint.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to
1) Explain underlying physics of the various phenomena in the universe.
2) Explain the phenomena revealed by the latest space observations.
3) Explain characteristics of black-body radiation, spectral line emission from atoms and ions, and the thermal emission, which are important to understand the universe.
Keywords
Universe, astrophysics, stars, astronomy, observations
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
- Expertise to apply basic knowledge of physics to understand various phenomena in the universe.
Class flow
Lectures will be conducted by explaining the latest observational results using slides, and explaining phenomena using blackboard writing (or equivalent method). The slides are basically written in English with partial Japanese translation. In principle, lectures will be given in English, but Japanese will also be used as appropriate.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Basic of the observational astrophysics | Explain the definition of the celestial coordinate system, basic words used for optical, infrared and radio astronomy |
| Class 2 | Stars and galaxies | Explain the basic physical parameters of stars and galaxies |
| Class 3 | Interstellar matter (gas) | Explain the classification, and observational measurement methods of interstellar gas |
| Class 4 | Interstellar matter (dust) | Explain the classification, and observational measurement methods of interstellar dust |
| Class 5 | Basics of the radiative transfer | Understand the basic framework of radiative transfer |
| Class 6 | Blackbody radiation | Understand the derivation of black-body radiation, and its basic properties |
| Class 7 | Expansion of the universe and galaxy evolution | Explain the history of the Universe emerged from observational facts |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are recommended to prepare for and review the class content by referring to the relevant sections of reference books and course material.
Textbook(s)
none required
Reference books, course materials, etc.
・S. Okamura et al. "Series modern astronomy (vol.4, 8)"、 Nihon Hyouronsha (Japanese)
・G.B. Rybicki & A.P. Lightman "Radiative Process in Astrophysics" (John Wiley & Sons, NY)
Evaluation methods and criteria
At the end of each lecture a simple quiz will be presented. The achievement of the goal of this lecture is evaluated based on the
submission of the answers to the quiz. Evaluation is based on the standard criteria.
If the answers are felt to be generated by Chat-GPT etc. the score of evaluation is reduced.
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 is desirable.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Prof. Hideo Matsuhara, matsuhara.h.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.