This course is offered in Semester 2 every even year (eg 2024, 2026)
This course provides a survey of physical processes occuring in astrophysical environments, including astrophysical fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, dynamics of relativistic particles, and mechanisms of radiation production. Topics in fluid dynamics include Eulerian and Lagrangian formulations of fluid mechanics, flow characteristics and shock formation in both magnetised and non-magnetised flows, and mechanisms of non-ideal magnetohydrodynamics. The relativistic particles portion of the course includes particle acceleration, transport, and interaction with magnetic fields. The radiation portion of the course includes radiation by relativistic particles and hadronic and leptonic radiation mechanisms.
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Analyse the behavior of magnetised astronomical flows and astrophysical relativistic particles, and the radiation produced by such systems.
- Evaluate and create models for the behaviour of astrophysical fluid and radiation systems.
- Clearly communicate the results of physical analysis of astrophysical flows and radiation.
- Work effectively as part of a group to solve problems in topics relevant to the course.
- 4 problem sets (40) [LO 1,2,4]
- Individual final exam (40) [LO 1,2]
- Individual oral and/or written presentation (20) [LO 3]
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The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 4 hours of lectorials per week.
- Approximately 82 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, tutorials, and other assessment tasks.
No specific inherent requirements identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
The Physics of Astrophysics, Vol. 1 Radiation and Vol. 2 Gas Dynamics by Frank H Shu, University Science Books.
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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