This course is usually offered every odd year (eg 2019)
The course is based on the theoretical development of non-thermal emission processes from relativistically moving plasma containing high energy relativistic particles and the inference of source parameters from the observation of non-thermal emission in the radio through to the high energy gamma ray region of the spectrum.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Process astronomical observations of flux density in order to calculate physically important parameters such as luminosity and emissivity.
- Analyze the synchrotron radiation field from astronomical sources in order to calculate parameters such as magnetic field orientation, the minimum energy of radiating plasma and parameters related to the polarization of the radiation.
- Analyze the combined inverse Compton and synchrotron emission from astronomical sources in order to estimate the magnetic flux density and energy density of the radiating plasma.
- Calculate the effect of relativistic motion on the radiation from non-thermal and thermal plasma and to incorporate relativistic effects into estimates of physical parameters.
- Understand the properties of radio galaxies and quasars as revealed by non-thermal radiation.
Indicative Assessment
- 4 x assignments (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 hours of lectures (1x2 hour lecture plus 1x1 hour lecture) and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week
- Approximately 82 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks (average 6 hours per week on assignments).
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
High Energy Astrophysics, by Malcolm S. Longair, Cambridge University Press, 2011
Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, by George B. Rybicki and Alan P. Lightman, John Wiley, 1986
Assumed Knowledge
Students should have completed PHYS2013 — Quantum Mechanics and PHYS2016 — Electromagnetism, or their equivalents.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7201 | 26 Jul 2021 | 02 Aug 2021 | 14 Sep 2021 | 29 Oct 2021 | In Person | View |
