Course content

Newton's laws and inertial frames. Rotating coordinate systems and Coriolis forces. Newton's law of gravitation and Kepler's laws. Mass distributions, gravitational potential, and potential energy. Virial theorem, gravitational collapse, and formation of stars. Special relativity. Doppler shift. General relativity and black holes. Relative and absolute magnitude of stars. Binary stars. Planck's law of radiation and Wien's displacement law. Stellar spectra. Nuclear processes in the core of stars. White dwarfs and neutron stars. Cosmology and the Big Bang.

Learning outcome

The student will acquire basic knowledge of the solar system and plenatary motion. He/she will get an overview of the formation of stars, the nuclear processes in the core of stars, and their death. Likewise, the student will ackquire an overview of special relativity, general relativity, cosmology, and the Big Bang.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and problem sessions. Mandatory assignments.
Expected work load in the course is 225 hours.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Relevant knowledge: Equivalent to FY1001 Mechanical Physics and TFY4165 Thermal Physics.

Course materials

M.L. Kutner, Astronomy: A physical perspective (Cambridge University Press 2003). Lecture notes.

Credit reductions