PHYC30100

The first part of this module is concerned with our understanding of the births, lives and deaths of stars. The starting point is the observational study and classification of stars, arriving at the Hertzsprung-Russell and Mass-Luminosity diagrams. The physics of stars, including the mechanisms by which stars support themselves against gravitational collapse, and how they derive power from nuclear processes and generate elements heavier than Helium, is then examined. The final section of the course is dedicated to astronomical instrumentation where the design of telescopes used in astronomy to detect electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays is explored. The module draws on ideas and laws from many different areas of physics and so a reasonable background in physics is expected for students to undertake this course.