About This Course

This course offers a deep dive into Astrophysics, exploring the physical phenomena in astronomical objects around us—ranging from planets and stars to galaxies like the Milky Way. It effectively blends theoretical frameworks with observational astronomy and introduces learners to the fundamentals of Astrophysics using simplified mathematical models. Key topics include gravitational influence, matter-radiation interactions, and the basics of cosmology, which are vital for advanced studies in the field.

What Students Will Learn

• The influence of gravity on astronomical bodies and gravitational lensing.
• How matter interacts with radiation in several astrophysical contexts.
• The process of star formation and stellar evolution.
• Key concepts and foundational theories of cosmology.

Prerequisites or Skills Necessary

Students are expected to have a basic understanding of the following:

• Trigonometry
• Derivatives and Taylor expansions
• Integral calculus
• 1st order differential equations

Course Coverage

• Gravity's role in Astrophysics
• Interaction of matter with radiation
• Life cycle of stars from formation to evolution
• Foundations of cosmology and the structure of the universe

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for students with a basic background in physics and mathematics who are interested in exploring the dynamical and physical properties of celestial bodies and phenomena within the universe.

Application of Skills in the Real World

Knowledge gained in this course can be applied in various practical and research settings. This includes developing predictive models of astronomical events, engineering space-based exploration tools, and contributing to academic and commercial research in cosmology and related fields.

Course Syllabus

• Week 1: Introduction to Astrophysics, parallaxes, and scales.
• Week 2: Radiation in Astrophysics, stellar phenomena, and spectral analysis.
• Week 3: Dynamics of celestial bodies, exoplanets, and the Hubble Law.
• Week 4: Tidal forces, planetary atmospheres, and climatic implications.
• Week 5: Stellar formation and evolution, HR diagrams.
• Week 6: Detailed study on galaxies, their motion, and dark matter.
• Week 7: Big Bang theory, cosmic radiation, and gravitational lenses.